Early Political Nativism in Louisiana: 1832–49

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ethnic and religious politics in Louisiana that began in the 1830s that came out of the Creole-American rivalry of the early days following the Louisiana Purchase. Louisiana became more democratic with an influx of native (Anglo) Americans and this led to political turmoil. The chapter discusses foreign immigration, mainly Irish immigration that further heightened nativism in the state during the 1830s and 1840s. The chapter describes how the nativist sentiment affected politics in the state, both in local and national elections, and which, at times, led to third party movements that exploited the nativism. Violence and fraud became more commonplace in the state.