This opposition to immigration is a result of national, cultural, or religious identity. In order to sustain and protect this identity, nativism is present.
The acts limited the ability of immigrants, especially radicals from France and Ireland. This hostility towards immigrants was finally coined with the term Nativism, from “Native Americans”, who were perhaps the most affected group.
Members of the society were known as “Know Nothings” because they were a secret society.
Small scale riots dominated the US in the 1840s between Catholics and nativists. Ex) Philadelphia, 1844: a series of nativist assaults on Catholic churches and community centers resulted in the loss of lives and professionalism of the police force.
The new law threatened to close down hundreds of German-language elementary schools. William D. Hoard was the leader of the Nativism movements at this time. He attacked German-American culture & religion.
![What is nativism? ,[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)