An animated comic scene ridiculing the Democratic and American party candidates. In the foreground is a somewhat rickety wooden "Democratic Platform," into which presidential candidate James Buchanan has just run, knocking his mount (running mate John C. Breckinridge, in the form of a buck) unconscious. Buchanan (center, dressed as a jockey) holds his right shin and curses a ragged black youth who stands laughing on the platform, "You infernal Black Scoundrel, if it had not been for you and that cursed Slavery Plank that Scared and upset my Buck, I should have won this race certain." The black youth jeers, "Ya! Ya! Ya! Why Massa Buck. Dis is de Democratic Platform, I tink I misunderstand you to Say dat you like dis Plank [. . .] in fac dat you was de Platform [. . . .]" One of the planks in the platform is labeled "Slavery," and another "Cuba," referring to the apparent proslavery and annexationist interests of the Democrats. On the far right a small boy is hoisted onto the back of a ragged, weed-chewing man with a beard. The urchin holds a flag reading, "We Po'ked em in 44, We Peirce'd em in 52 and We'll "Buck em" in 56." The bearded man looks at the child irritably and scowls, "Hello there!! are you a Fre'mounter." At left, American party candidate Millard Fillmore, riding a goose with the head of running mate Andrew Jackson Donelson and holding a "Know Nothing" lantern, cries, "I'm "All right on the Goose," and yet I dont seem to make much head way, Gentlemen you may all laugh, but if I'm not the next President the Union Will Be Disolved, The South Wont Stand It." In the background a crowd watches the race. Two men converse, saying, "Little too much Squatter Sovereignty about that Goose Fillmore?" and "A decided Curvature of the Spine, no Back Bone Sir, "All Dough" Sir, ha! ha! ha!" The majority of the spectators, however, cheer on Republican candidate John C. Fremont whose horse takes the lead at right. On an observation or judging deck nearby stands Brother Jonathan, holding what appears to be a timer's watch. The apt comic mise-en-scene and development of the minor characters here are characteristic of John L. Magee's work.|Drawn by John L. Magee.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 116.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1856-15.

A sheet music cover illustrated with an ornamental vignette and motifs alluding to the Know Nothing party. In the center a nocturnal procession of men in tricornered hats, holding bayonets and a banner with a skull and crossbones. From the crossbar of the banner hang a raccoon and a cock. The scene is framed by a grouping of American flags with a liberty cap and an eagle and shield (above) and by two trees. A raccoon crouches on the limb of a tree at left. Below are pumpkin vines and a rooster standing on a ledge near cornstalks. The raccoon, pumpkins, and cornstalks, all indigenous to North America and distinctly non-European, symbolize the xenophobic orientation of the nativist party. Winner & Shuster were prolific Philadelphia music publishers.|Philada. Published by Winner & Shuster, 110 North Eighth St. New York, Firth, Pond & Co. Boston, G. P. Reed & Co. Indianapolis, A. E. Jones & Co. Cincinnati, W. C. Peters & Son.|The Library's impression of the music sheet was deposited for copyright on August 16, 1854.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1854-2.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Explain the political ramifications of the Kansas-Nebraska ActDescribe the founding of the Republican Party

A sheet music cover illustrated with the American nativist device of an eye in an aureole of light. The watchful eye (a commonplace in Masonic iconography) here symbolizes the Know Nothings' vigilance against "foreign influence" in American politics and government. For an earlier instance of the nativist use of this motif see the certificate of the Order of United Americans (no. 1848-1).|Entered . . . 1854 by J. Couenhoven. |Philadelphia James Couenhoven 162 Chesnut St.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1854-1.

An illustrated advertising label for soap manufactured in Boston, interesting for its imagery and allusion to the popular "Know Nothing" or nativist movement. In the foreground are two American Indians, emblematic of the movement's prejudice against the foreign-born. In the lower right is a seated brave, leaning against a rock and holding a pipe. Above him a large American flag, with thirty-one stars, unfurls across the main picture area. The flag is supported in the upper left corner by an Indian woman, who points to the words "Know Nothing Soap" emblazoned on it. In the background is a landscape with tepees and a campfire on the bank of a stream.|Entered . . . 1854 by G.A. Hill . . . Massachusetts.|Geo. A. Hill & Co. 56 Federal Street, Boston. L.H. Bradford & Cos. Lith.|The Library's impression of the label was deposited for copyright on October 20, 1854.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1854-3.

A music cover for a song by William Clifton, "inscribed [i.e., dedicated] to New York Know Nothing leader James W. Barker Esq." The illustration features the youthful "Sam" type who appears in various identities in earlier nativist prints, such as "Uncle Sam, an American Song" (no. 1854-5). The portrait bears a particularly strong resemblance to "Citizen Know Nothing" in Sarony's "Uncle Sam's Youngest Son" (no. 1854-4) as well as to the central figure in "The Young America Schottisch" (no. 1855-5). Here shown in bust portrait looking toward the right, the figure wears a hat with a curled brim, flowing tie, plaid waistcoat, and jacket. |Signed: Stackpole, Sc.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on July 21, 1855.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1855-6.

 U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Explain the political ramifications of the Kansas-Nebraska ActDescribe the founding of the Republican Party