Nativists' Discrimination Against Catholics: Historical Perspective

From the early nineteenth century onwards, nativist groups in the US discriminated against Catholics, particularly those of Irish and German descent, through organisations like the Know Nothing Party, engaging in violence, social discrimination, and limiting employment opportunities. This anti-Catholic sentiment led to significant hostility and prejudice, which persisted for decades. Events like property vandalism and instances of violence against Catholic institutions highlight the discrimination faced by these immigrant groups.

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Violence and vandalism against Catholic institutions and individuals

Violence and acts of vandalism against Catholic institutions and individuals were common in the US from the early 19th century onwards, with nativist groups often targeting Catholics, particularly Irish and German immigrants, who were predominantly Catholic. This anti-Catholic sentiment led to significant hostility and prejudice that persisted for decades.

One of the earliest instances of violence against Catholic institutions was the burning of an Ursuline convent in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1834. A mob of Protestant workmen surrounded the convent and set it ablaze, an act of intolerance fuelled by claims that Catholics were destroying American culture. This incident sparked a "'nativist' movement" that gained prominence in the 1840s and was characterised by mob violence, the destruction of Catholic property, and the killing of Catholics.

The Know-Nothing Party of the mid-1850s, a short-lived national political movement, exemplified this anti-Catholic fervour. During this period, nativists disbanded Irish-American militia units, deported and barred Irish immigrants, and established literacy requirements for foreign-born voters, making it more difficult for Catholics to participate in democracy.

The American Protective Association, founded in 1887, continued the legacy of discrimination against Catholics. This group denounced politicians as Catholic-controlled and sought to exclude Catholics from western settlements. Catholic schools became a particular target, with nativists seeking to eliminate them and local communities organising to defend their right to Catholic education.

In the 1920s, anti-Catholic sentiment was widespread, with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) at the forefront. The KKK believed that Catholicism was incompatible with democracy and that parochial schools bred separatism. They burned crosses and committed violent acts, such as the fatal shooting of Father James Coyle in Alabama in 1921.

These instances illustrate a broader theme of how nativist groups discriminated against Catholics through violence and vandalism, targeting their institutions and individuals, and perpetuating an enduring climate of hostility and prejudice.

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Social discrimination, including signs saying 'No Irish Need Apply'

The phrase "No Irish Need Apply" was a cultural buzzword that emerged in the mid-19th century, reflecting social discrimination against Irish Catholics. The phrase appeared in songs, letters, and journalism, and it is believed that it originated from a song in Britain in the 1850s. This song crossed over to America, where it gained popularity and reflected the growing anti-Irish sentiment. While there is debate among historians about the prevalence of "No Irish Need Apply" signs and advertisements, there is evidence that they existed and contributed to the collective memory of Irish Americans.

Irish immigrants in the United States faced significant social discrimination, which was fueled by nativist groups. These groups, such as the Know-Nothing Party, often targeted Irish Catholics specifically due to their religious beliefs. The arrival of a large number of Catholic immigrants during the 1830s and 1840s threatened the Protestant foundation of American society, according to many nativists. This led to intense hostility and prejudice that persisted for decades.

One form of social discrimination faced by Irish Catholics was the widespread belief that they were inferior to "native Americans." This sentiment was reflected in various spheres of life, including employment and housing. Irish Catholics encountered job advertisements that explicitly excluded them, and they were frequently denied jobs or promoted less often than their Protestant counterparts. This career discrimination was not limited to a specific gender, as both men and women faced challenges in finding employment.

The anti-Irish sentiment extended beyond the United States, with reports of similar discrimination in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the post-World War II years, signs reading "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs" appeared in the United Kingdom, showcasing the extent of social discrimination. Additionally, in 2012, a classified ad in Perth, Australia, for a bricklayer position stated that "no Irish" should apply.

The social discrimination faced by Irish Catholics had a long-lasting impact, with organizations such as the American Protective Association and the Ku Klux Klan continuing to perpetuate anti-Catholic sentiment into the mid-20th century. This discrimination reflected a broader theme of the challenges faced by immigrant groups in assimilating into American society, often encountering hostility and violence.

Employment discrimination, with nativists vowing not to hire Catholics

Discrimination against Catholics by nativist groups in the US has a long history, with roots in colonial times. During the British colonisation of the Americas, Protestant settlers brought anti-Catholic attitudes with them, which were influenced by the theological heritage of the Protestant Reformation and the European wars of religion. This set the stage for the emergence of nativist movements in the 19th century, particularly in response to increasing Catholic immigration from countries like Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria, and Mexico.

One of the most prominent nativist groups was the Know-Nothing Party, which rose to prominence in the mid-1850s. Members of this group advocated for the deportation of foreign beggars and criminals, a lengthy 21-year naturalisation period for immigrants, mandatory Bible reading in schools, and the removal of Catholics from public office. They sought to preserve their vision of America, centred around values like temperance, Protestantism, self-reliance, American nationality, and a strong work ethic.

Employment discrimination was a significant aspect of the Know-Nothings' agenda, with a specific focus on excluding Irish Catholics from job opportunities. It was common for job advertisements to explicitly exclude Irish applicants, with signs stating "No Irish Need Apply". Irish Catholics faced widespread bias and were often denied jobs or promoted less frequently than their Protestant peers. This discrimination extended beyond the individual level, as nativist groups also pressured employers not to hire Catholics, contributing to the pervasive anti-Catholic sentiment that persisted for decades.

The American Protective Association of the 1890s continued the legacy of anti-Catholic nativism. They denounced politicians as Catholic-controlled and claimed credit for aiding Republican electoral victories. Additionally, they opposed the allocation of state funds to Catholic schools, reflecting their determination to maintain segregation and limit the influence of Catholic institutions.

In the 1920s, anti-Catholic sentiment was widespread, with the Ku Klux Klan leading the charge. They believed that Catholicism was incompatible with democracy and that parochial schools fostered separatism instead of loyalty to the nation. The rapid growth of the second Ku Klux Klan from 1921 to 1925 intensified anti-Catholic rhetoric and acts of violence. Despite the collapse of the Klan in the mid-1920s due to scandals and public denouncement, the impact of their anti-Catholic campaigns lingered.

The discrimination faced by Catholics in the job market was not limited to any particular time period or organisation. It was a pervasive issue that spanned decades and was perpetuated by various nativist groups. The Know-Nothings, the American Protective Association, and the Ku Klux Klan all contributed to an environment where Catholics, especially Irish Catholics, encountered significant obstacles in their pursuit of employment opportunities.

Political discrimination, blaming Catholics for electoral defeats

The American Protective Association, founded in 1887 in Clinton, Iowa, was one of the key organisations perpetuating anti-Catholic sentiment in the US. The group's emergence was a direct response to the electoral defeat of incumbent mayor Arnold Walliker, which was blamed on the organised efforts of Roman Catholics in the local labour movement.

The Association denounced various politicians as Catholic-controlled and claimed credit for aiding Republican electoral victories. They also opposed the allocation of state money to Catholic schools, with Thomas Nast's cartoon, 'The American River Ganges', depicting Catholic bishops, directed by the Vatican, as crocodiles attacking American schoolchildren.

The American Protective Association was not the only political group to discriminate against Catholics. The Know-Nothing Party, a short-lived national political movement in the mid-1850s, also espoused anti-Catholic sentiments. The party, which ran former president Millard Fillmore as its presidential candidate in 1856, was particularly hostile towards Irish Catholic immigrants, blaming them for the election of Democrat James Buchanan as president.

Henry Winter Davis, an active Know-Nothing, was elected on the American Party ticket to Congress from Maryland. He embodied the anti-Catholic sentiment of the time, stating:

> "The recent election has developed in an aggravated form every evil against which the [American Party] has contended… The power of this foreign element, acknowledged to be already so great as to have decided the late contest, will be vastly increased by the accession of thousands of foreigners, who, by the operation of this most unnatural law, are invited to come and participate in electing the Chief Magistrate of this great nation."

The anti-Catholic sentiment expressed by nativist groups had a lasting impact on American society, persisting into the mid-20th century and influencing organisations such as the Ku Klux Klan. This discrimination reflected a broader theme of how immigrant groups, particularly those from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Austria, and Mexico, faced challenges in assimilating into American society, encountering hostility and violence.

Educational discrimination, campaigning to eliminate parochial schools

The rise of nativist groups in the 19th century, such as the anti-immigrant Know Nothing Party, was fuelled by growing anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant sentiments. This era witnessed a wave of Catholic immigration, particularly Irish Catholics, who formed distinct communities in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Native-born Protestants viewed this influx with suspicion and economic and cultural threat, targeting their sentiments against the Pope and Catholicism.

One of the key manifestations of nativist discrimination against Catholics was in the domain of education. Nativist groups sought to impose their religious agenda in public schools, aiming to ensure the dominance of Protestant values and beliefs. They mandated the reading of the King James Bible in public schools and opposed the use of Catholic Bibles, as seen in the Philadelphia Bible controversy in 1843. This incident sparked violent riots in 1844, reflecting the deep-rooted anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiments among nativists.

The Know Nothing Party, driven by its nativist agenda, believed that promoting Protestantism in public schools was essential to guarantee the supremacy of Protestant values in America. They enacted laws and amendments to bar the use of state funds for sectarian or parochial schools, aiming to make Catholic schools financially unviable. This forced Catholic children into public schools, where they would be educated in Protestant customs and values, effectively assimilating them into the dominant culture.

Additionally, the Know Nothings supported a 21-year naturalization period for immigrants and sought to eliminate Catholics from public office. They propagated the notion that Catholics were a threat to national stability and worked to restore their vision of America, centred on values like temperance, Protestantism, self-reliance, and a strong work ethic.

The educational discrimination faced by Catholics extended beyond the actions of nativist groups. The Supreme Court, influenced by anti-Catholic sentiments, addressed the issue of aid to Catholic schools as a potential violation of the establishment clause. In Lemon vs. Kurtzman, Justice William Douglas quoted from Loraine Boettner's virulently anti-Catholic book, "Roman Catholicism," further perpetuating negative stereotypes about Catholics.

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