The majority of Know-Nothings came from middle and working-class backgrounds. These people feared competition for jobs from immigrants coming to the United States. The Know-Nothings went from being hostile toward Catholic immigrants for their loyalty to the Pope to hostility toward all immigrants out of fear their jobs would be taken. 

​

The majority of Know-Nothings came from middle and working-class backgrounds. These people feared competition for jobs from immigrants coming to the United States. The Know-Nothings went from being hostile toward Catholic immigrants for their loyalty to the Pope to hostility toward all immigrants out of fear their jobs would be taken.