VISUAL ACTIVITY

Know-Nothing Cartoon This cartoon underscores the Know-Nothing contention that hard-drinking Irish and German immigrants were stealing elections and polluting American democracy. In addition to the Irishman’s whiskey and the German’s beer, the artist completes the negative stereotypes by giving the Irishman his shillelagh (club) and the German his pipe. The Granger Collection, New York.

READING THE IMAGE: What is taking place behind the Irishman and German, and how does it spell danger for the Republic?

CONNECTIONS: In what parts of the nation would you suppose the Know-Nothing message had its greatest appeal?