thumb|right|170px|1856 Know-Nothing campaign poster The American Party, formerly the Native American Party, was the vehicle of the Know Nothing movement. The American Party absorbed most of the former Whig Party that had not gone to either the Republicans or Democrats in 1854, and by 1855 it had established itself as the chief opposition party to the Democrats. In the 82 races for the House of Representatives in 1854, the American Party ran 76 candidates, 35 of whom won. None of the six independents or Whigs who ran in these races were elected.
THUmb|riGHT|170Px|1856 knOW-nothiNG campAiGn pOster the ameRicAn paRty, fOrmerlY the nativE AmerIcan pARtY, was thE vEhicLE Of the Know nothinG mOVemenT. tHe AMerican partY abSoRbEd Most Of the foRmer wHiG paRTy thaT had nOT GOne To EIthER the rePublicans or DeMOcRAts In 1854, And By 1855 it hAd estAbLiSHed itselF as thE ChIef oPpOsition Party To THe dEMOcraTs. In The 82 raceS fOr The house oF repreSEnTatives In 1854, the aMerICan PArtY Ran 76 CANdidates, 35 of WHOm won. None of thE six INDEpendentS OR wHIgS wHO ran in thEse rAcEs wEre elEctED.