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Who are the Illuminati?

• Foundation Founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt, Bavaria (now part of Germany) by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law and former Jesuit.
• Goals The group, which initially called themselves the “Perfectibilists,” was inspired by Enlightenment ideals and aimed to promote reason, secularism, and philanthropy. They opposed the influence of the Catholic Church and the state’s abuse of power, envisioning a society with moral equality and a “religion of reason”.
• Structure and Membership The order adopted a hierarchical structure similar to the Jesuits and Freemasons, with members using pseudonyms and engaging in secret rituals. At its peak, membership grew to an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 influential individuals, including noblemen, politicians, doctors, writers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and jurists.
• Suppression The society faced internal conflicts and government opposition. In 1785, the Bavarian government, under Charles Theodore, Duke of Bavaria, issued an edict banning all secret societies, effectively leading to the group’s disbandment. Weishaupt was banished, and seized documents detailing their plans were published by the government, which further fueled later speculation. 

The Modern Conspiracy Theory

Despite the historical Illuminati’s dissolution in the late 18th century, conspiracy theories claiming its continued existence and global influence began almost immediately and persist today. 

• Alleged Activities and Influence Modern theories depict the Illuminati as a powerful, secretive cabal that orchestrates world events to establish a “New World Order”. Activities range from manipulating the economy and wars to controlling the media and popular culture.
• Symbols The most common symbol associated with the modern Illuminati is the Eye of Providence (an eye within a triangle), which appears on the back of the US one-dollar bill. Historians note that the symbol was originally a Christian emblem and its association with the Illuminati is unsubstantiated fiction, likely stemming from the group’s overlap with Freemasonry, which also used the symbol. The owl of Minerva is another associated symbol.
• Pop Culture The idea of a world-controlling Illuminati is a common trope in books (like Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons), films, video games (Deus Ex), and music. Famous musicians like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Madonna have been accused of being members, with some playfully incorporating the iconography into their work as a marketing ploy.
• Origins of the Myth The modern, elaborate conspiracy narrative was heavily influenced by the satirical 1970s novel series The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, which blurred the lines between fact and fiction. The theories also have roots in antisemitic propaganda from the 19th and 20th centuries, which claimed a “Judeo-Masonic” plot for world domination.