Question

In what way did loyalty to the United States factor into anti-catholic sentiment during the 1800s?

Answer 1

Back then, the anti-Catholics believed that Catholicism was not compatible with democracy.

They believe that Catholicism kept the people who followed it from becoming loyal Americans

Answer 2

Some Americans saw an allegiance to the Roman Catholic Pope as an allegiance to a foreign political leader, which meant the loyalty of Catholics could never lie with americna leaders. These non-Catholics believed a lack of loyalty to US political ideas and leaders by Catholics would undermine the democratic system.