What was the goal of the know-nothing party?

The American Party was formed after the dissolution of the Whig party in the 1850s. This party was largely comprised of members of secret societies who often pledged that they "knew nothing," and because of this they were often referred to as the "Know-Nothings." The Know-Nothings were mainly native-born Protestants whose main goal was to keep Catholics out of office, as they believed that Catholic-American politicians were still taking orders from papal Rome.