Definition

Noun: 1. A former nativist political party in the United States: The American Party was a significant but short-lived political movement in the 1850s. Its primary platform was to restrict the influence and rights of immigrants, particularly those from Ireland and Germany, and of Roman Catholics. It is more commonly known by its nickname, the "Know-Nothing Party."

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The American Party gained significant seats in Congress during the mid-1850s.
  • Historians study the American Party to understand periods of anti-immigrant sentiment in U.S. history.
  • The rise of the American Party was a reaction to a large wave of immigration.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is used almost exclusively in historical and political discussions about 19th-century United States. It is not used to describe modern political entities.
• "Know-Nothing Party": This is the most common synonym and nickname for the American Party, originating from members' initial instruction to say "I know nothing" when asked about the secretive organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Know-Nothing Party (n): The direct nickname for the American Party.
• Know-Nothing (n): A member or supporter of the American Party.
• Nativism (n): The political policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants. This is the ideology the American Party represented.
• Nativist (n/adj): (A person) advocating for nativist policies.

Synonyms

• Know-Nothing Party: The primary synonym.
• The Native American Party: An earlier, less common formal name.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Know-Nothing": Beyond the party name, this term can be used pejoratively to describe a person who is ignorant or opposed to new ideas.
  • His anti-intellectual stance earned him a reputation as a modern-day know-nothing. (Note: This usage is derived from the party's nickname but is a separate, modern application.)

Noun

1. a former political party in the United States; active in the 1850s to keep power out of the hands of immigrants and Roman Catholics