Anti-Catholic Ephemera collection, 1765-1952 (Bulk: 1765-1844)

Collection

Identifier: Mss 0108

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection dates from 1765 to 1844 and comprises pamphlets and other ephemera relating to anti-Catholic sentiment. It includes addresses denouncing Catholicism and materials relating to the Philadelphia Nativist Riots, in which Protestant nativists groups lashed out against Irish Catholic immigrants and burned several Catholic churches. This collection will be useful to researchers interested in American Catholicism, anti-Catholicism, nativism, and the Philadelphia Nativist Riots.

Dates

Creation: 1765-1952
Creation: Majority of material found in 1765-1844

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

All materials available in this collection (unless otherwise noted) are the property of the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Seton Hall University, which reserves the right to limit access to or reproduction of these materials. Reproduction of materials or content is subject to United States copyright restrictions and may be subject to federal or state privacy regulations. Permission to publish exact reproductions must be obtained from the Director of the Archives and Special Collections Center.

Biographical / Historical

Catholics in majority-Protestant countries have historically faced anti-Catholic sentiment, causing religious discrimination and in some cases violence. Anti-Catholicism arose at the time of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and continues in some forms to today. Often, anti-Catholic rhetoric centered around the belief that Catholics would maintain loyalty to the Vatican and the Pope rather than to country and civic leaders.

Anti-Catholicism is also often associated with nativism and anti-immigrant attitudes. The Philadelphia Nativist Riots that took place between May 6 and 8 and July 6 and 7, 1844 are a clear example of this. Due to tensions between the influx of Irish Catholic immigrants and Protestant nativists in Philadelphia, fighting occurred throughout the districts of Kensington and Southwark where several Catholic churches were burned.

Extent

.08 Linear Feet (1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This small collection of ephemera dates from 1765 to 1844. It consists of pamphlets relating to anti-Catholic sentiment, including addresses denouncing Catholicism and materials relating to the Philadelphia Nativist Riots, in which Protestant nativist groups lashed out against Irish Catholic immigrants and burned several Catholic churches.