Question

The Know-Nothings' primary goal was to

a. send immigrants back to Europe.
b. abolish slavery.
c. force immigrants to work for less than minimum wage.
d. reform the civil service program.
e. force immigrants to wait longer to become a citizen.

Answer 1

The Know-Nothing Party's primary goal was to undermine the political power of naturalized citizens by extending the naturalization period and restricting public office to the native-born.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Know-Nothing Party, also known as the American Party, emerged in the United States during the 1830s as a nativist and anti-immigrant political movement. The core membership of the Know-Nothings consisted of men who wanted to preserve their societal status in the wake of the Market Revolution and who manifested hostility towards foreign influence, particularly against Irish immigrants and the Catholic Church.

One of the primary goals of the Know-Nothings was to undermine the political power of naturalized citizens. They pursued this goal by proposing to lengthen the naturalization period required for immigrants to become citizens from five to twenty-one years. Additionally, they sought to restrict public office to the native-born, deeply opposing the political engagement of Catholics and immigrants.