The
Nativists formed the Know-Nothing Party to spread their influence into
politics. The Party blamed immigrants for economic, social and political
problems in the United States and would later be absorbed into the Republic
Party. The American Protective Association was founded, they led anti-catholic,
anti-jewish attacks. Their purpose was displayed through their open activity in
arranging lectures by "ex-priests", distributing anti-Catholic literature
and opposing the election of Catholics to public offices. The American Protective Association was
formed on March 13, 1887 by Henry Francis Bowers, in the city of Clinton, Iowa.
Anti-Catholicism has had a long history in America, because its traditions are
often seen as contrary to the principles of the nation. What people most feared
was the fact that all Catholics had some loyalty to the pope at the Vatican,
which many American disagreed with the Vatican’s belief in Church and State
combined.