the know-nothings believed a "romanist" conspiracy was in progress, trying to undermine the power and authority of civil and religious liberty in the united states and wanted to politically organize native-born protestants in a defense of their traditional religious and political values. it is remembered for this theme because of fears by protestants that catholic priests and bishops would control a large amount of voters. in most places, know-nothingism lasted only a year or two before disintegrating because of weak local leaders, few publicly declared national leaders and a deep split over the issue of slavery. in the south, the party did not focus on anti-catholicism, but was the main alternative to the dominant democratic party.