In the early 1850s, the American Party (the Know-Nothing Party) won federal and state elections advocating anti-Catholicism and immigration restriction. The assignment has three parts: (1) You will read primary sources (historic newspapers) and record information in an excel database. Look for information about Know-Nothing activities but you should also pay attention to the perspectives of various newspapers, their supportive or hostile coverage; (2) You will read a recommended secondary source (typically a book); (3) You will write a 8-10 page paper about your subject using information from both the secondary and primary sources.

Research questions: Was the American Party consistent in its messaging? Show examples of its activities/victories. Did the newspapers you have read support or criticize the Know Nothing movement?

Primary source research (newspapers):

1) Begin by downloading this research database-excel-1.xlsx

2) We are using ProQuest Historical Newspapers for newspaper searches. Below is the link to the pre-arranged databases of newspaper articles that you should use. It delivers articles from newspapers and magazines related to this topic.

1853-1855 press coverage https://www.proquest.com/search/2071895?accountid=14784

a) you should see a page like this. If not, you may need to click the Library's login button top right and enter your UW-net ID

proquest results1.png

b) scroll the titles of articles, clicking on those that seem most relevant. Some will be mistaken entries triggered by the search terms. Others will be too short to be useful. Download copies of all articles that might be useful or interesting. It is more efficient to download them than to read them in ProQuest.

c) use "back to results" to return to the search results.

proquest results4.png

d) you can filter results using the menus on left side. Sorted by "oldest first" means the entries are in chronological order. "Relevance" is the other option. You can also open the Publication title menu and select articles from particular newspapers.

proquest results2.png

3) After downloading many articles, add at least 20 to your research database-excel-1.xlsx and write a short description of the event or issue described in each article. Feel free to add additional information in other columns. Your spreadsheet needs to include no less than 20 articles. You will submit the research database along with your paper.

4) Please DO NOT save or delete the ProQuest search. Others will not be able to use it.

Secondary source research (books):

5) Obtain and read one or more books. Several are listed below. Others can be identified in UW Library catalog http://www.lib.washington.edu/

The nativist movement in America : religious conflict in the 19th century (Links to an external site.)
by Katie Oxx (eBook)

America for the Americans : the nativist movement in the United States
by Dale T. Knobel, (eBook through Hathi trust)

The Protestant crusade, 1800-1860 : a study of the origins of American nativism
by Ray Allen Billington, (print)

An ugly little secret : anti-Catholicism in North America
by Andrew M. Greeley, (print)