Day 3 - Journal Entry (homework)

Over these past few days of researching about immigration, I have become a lot more familiar with the Know-Nothing party. This party was an organization which rebelled against immigrants and Catholics. When individuals come to a different country, It is very difficult for them to find jobs, a home, and to set up a new life. Many Americans back in the days did not understand the difficulties of this. They feared that immigrants would destroy their nation, and therefore were not even willing to give them a chance. According to the Ohio History Central, "The majority of Know-Nothings came from middle and working-class backgrounds. These people feared competition for jobs from immigrants coming to the United States" (1). Americans felt that since they were born in this country, they should be the ones who are successful and who are the rulers. They thought of immigrants as low-class people, when in reality those people worked very hard each day in order to make a living for themselves and their families. This Know-Nothing party sub topic tells me that overall immigration was a very difficult thing for American born citizens to accept. They did not want competition with individuals who were not even born in this country. I can understand their viewpoint, but at the same time everyone at one point or another was an immigrant in the United States. I learned that immigrants were not welcome in the United States, and it was very difficult for them to make money in order to have a descent life. The questions which I still have about my topic are: what other events were occurring during the Know-Nothing party? What was the reaction and response of immigrants to the Know-Nothing party? and what other parties existed which were similar to the Know-Nothing party?