Guide to the American Party of Westmorland County, Pennsylvania Minute Book, 1854-1855 DAR.1937.26
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Minute Book of the American Party of Westmorland County, Pennsylvania
- Creator
- American Party (Westmoreland County, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- DAR.1937.26
- Extent
- 0.13 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1854-1855
- Abstract
- The American Party, referred to as the Know Nothing Party, was a secretive nativist political movement during the 1850s. This volume documents the campaign activities of the American Party of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania between 1854 and 1855. Digital reproductions of the collection are online.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of the collection are online.
History
The American Party, referred to as the Know-Nothing Party, was a secretive yet popular political movement that was most effective in the 1850s. When party members were asked about their activities, they were simply to reply, "I know nothing," thus giving rise to the nickname "Know Nothings." The party was primarily a nativist movement that aimed to protect American values in response to an influx of Roman Catholic immigration in the 1840s. Their platform consisted of limiting immigration (especially from Catholic countries), restricting political office to native born Americans, enforcing a 21 year waiting period before an immigrant could become a citizen, restricting public school teachering positions to Protestants, mandating daily Bible readings in school, and restricting the sale of liquor. The influence of the party declined by the end of the 1850s, as issues such as slavery and the differences between Northern and Southern culture hindered political unity.
Scope and Content Notes
This volume is comprised of meeting minutes documenting the American Party of Westmoreland County's political campaigns of 1854 and 1855, primarily concerning state government politics. It also contains printed circulars and forms of candidacy, election returns, passwords, and platform rules. Some printed documents contain information on the particular candidates the party supported during these elections.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift to the Darlington Memorial Library in 1937.
Preferred Citation
Minute Book of the American Party of Westmorland County, Pennsylvania, 1854-1855, DAR.1937.26, Darlington Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Minute Book of the American Party of Westmorland County, Pennsylvania, 1854-1855, DAR.1937.26, Darlington Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Matt Gorzalski in May 2008.
Copyright
No copyright restrictions.
Custodial History
This collection was located in the Darlington Memorial Library in the University's Cathedral of Learning until 2007 when it was moved to the ULS Archives Service Center for processing, storage, preservation and service. However, it remains in the custodianship of the ULS Special Collections Department.
Bibliography
- Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Know-Nothing Party.Ohio History Central, American Party.
Subjects
- American Party (Westmoreland County, Pa.)
- Greensburg (Pa.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Pennsylvania -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Westmoreland County (Pa.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Minute books
- Politicians
- Political campaigns -- Pennsylvania -- Westmoreland County
- Political parties -- Pennsylvania -- Westmoreland County