Who are the Illuminati?
When exploring the history of a secret society you find yourself discovering Adam Weishaupt, a Bavarian professor of canon law, founded the radical secret society known as the Illuminati in Europe in 1776 at the age of 28. As a fervent critic of the church and monarchy, Weishaupt sought to infiltrate and disrupt powerful institutions. He devised a plan for global subversion, aiming to abolish all religions and governments in order to create a world of equality where a select enlightened elite would oversee a communist economic structure style of goods.
The Illuminati adopted ancient codenames to avoid detection, with Weishaupt going by the moniker "Brother Spartacus," named after the gladiator who led a slave insurrection against Rome. The Illuminati sought young recruits, using Freemason lodges as a recruiting ground, and emphasized secrecy as a means of knitting their members together. Trust was scarce, with those above the age of 30 initially being viewed with suspicion.
This Is How The Illuminati Works: History of a Secret Society
The lower ranks of the Illuminati were divided into hierarchies of Novices, Minervals, and Illuminated Minervals, organized into cells, with Weishaupt acting as their spymaster. Recruits were required to provide information on their ancestors, relations, friends, correspondents, and enemies. They were tasked with recommending new members, as well as reporting weekly on public and private occurrences and the conduct of those around them.
After three years of individual study with their Illuminati tutor, recruits were required to take an oath to uphold their group's goals under the penalty of death. A drawn sword was pointed at their breast as a reminder of the consequences of betraying the Order.
The Bavarian Illuminati infiltrated public offices and courts of justice, with estimates of their size ranging from 650 to 2,500 members. However, their secret activities were eventually exposed, and the society was persecuted. Documents found in the homes of Illuminati members, such as diplomat Franx Xavier von Zwack, confirmed their plans for world domination. The Duke of Bavaria, Karl Theodor, banned secret societies in 1785 and instituted punishments for their members. However, some scholars argue that the Illuminati survived, with Weishaupt continuing to write and work despite his banishment.
In the late 18th century, fears about the Illuminati had also spread to the United States. George Washington wrote an open letter stating that the US had avoided the threat of the Illuminati, but the mere mention of the secret society helped revive interest and fear. Rumors of secret alliances and double-crossings plagued early American elections. However, it wasn't until the rise of electronic media and the internet in the mid-1970s that conspiracy theories about the Illuminati gained significant traction.
In popular culture, the Illuminati has been portrayed in various ways, with many Americans believing that the "Eye of Providence," the eye-in-a-triangle symbol found on the back of the US dollar bill, is an Illuminati emblem linking the European sect to the highest levels of the US government and centers of power. However, scholarly research and historical evidence have debunked many of these claims, and the true influence and activities of the Illuminati remain a subject of debate among historians and conspiracy theorists alike.
In conclusion, the Illuminati, founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1776, was a secret society that aimed to infiltrate and disrupt powerful institutions with a plan for global subversion. While the Bavarian Illuminati was eventually exposed and persecuted, some believe that the society survived and continued its activities. Today, the Illuminati remains a subject of fascination and speculation, with conspiracy theories abounding, but the true extent of their influence and control over the world remains a topic of debate.
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