Between 1820 and 1850, some Americans discriminated against German immigrants because they

The Know-Nothing Party was so popular that its candidates had been elected to important political offices throughout the United States. German-Americans, who were typically divided amongst themselves, united in their efforts to fight back against the discrimination directed at them. They were greatly aided by mounting tensions over the issue of slavery in the United States, which divided the Know-Nothing supporters and weakened them as a political group.