The Know-Nothing Party seemed to be one of contradictions: they wanted to limit the rights of immigrants, while promoting an antislavery agenda. Why would a political party argue for limiting the rights of one group, but expanding the rights of another? While they did rally against certain groups, like Catholics, it was mainly because these groups didn't support the same ideals for which they stood, including abolition and temperance. Ultimately, the Know-Nothings actually accomplished very little in limiting the rights of immigrants. All European immigrants benefited from being white. These groups had the advantage of being able to vote, while free blacks could not.

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