The Rise and Fall of the Illuminati In 1776 Bavaria, Adam Weishaupt founded the secret society known as the Illuminati to promote rationalism, religious freedom, and universal human rights against Catholic dominance. Inspired by Freemasons' ideals of knowledge and reason, he recruited members from their ranks while adopting elaborate rituals. The group grew rapidly under Baron Adolph Knigge's influence but faced suspicion for challenging traditional governance intertwined with religion. By 1784, Duke Karl Theodor banned all secret societies; within nine years of its founding, the Illuminati dissolved as records were seized and Weishaupt exiled.
Legacy Beyond Existence Despite its dissolution in 1785 following Bavarian government action against it, myths about an enduring Illuminati conspiracy persisted through events like the French Revolution or American political fears promoted by figures such as Jedidiah Morse. However extensive documentation confirms no survival beyond initial suppression—yet ideas central to this movement influenced Western governments profoundly over time: advocating secular governance rooted firmly on principles shared globally today rather than clandestine manipulation attributed falsely thereafter.