The Illuminati is a secret group that often sparks people's curiosity, even appearing in various conspiracy theories. Now, looking at its history, the Illuminati existed in the 18th century, where many of its members consisted of influential intellectuals and free thinkers at that time. In the end, the Illuminati had a dark end.
The organization, also known as the Bavarian Illuminati, opposes the Roman Catholic Church's control of philosophy and science. They also promote women's education and equal treatment, seek to 'illuminate' people's minds and free them from superstition and prejudice, and seek to reduce state oppression.
The Illuminati was founded by Adam Weishaupt, dean of the law school at the University of Ingolstadt in Bavaria (a state in southeastern Germany) in the early 1770s, according to the book "New England and the Bavarian Illuminati".
As quoted by us from Live Science, Adam vocally criticized the church because he considered it to be intolerant and old-fashioned. He also has great influence on the campus and political dynamics in Bavaria.
His criticism brought him into conflict with the Jesuits, leading him to conclude that it was necessary to form a secret society of liberal-minded people. He initially attempted to join the Freemasons, but lacked funds and felt the order was too well known to the public.
On May 1, 1776, Weishaupt formed the Order of the Illuminati with 4 other members. The Illuminati grew rapidly, gaining some 2,000 members from countries across Europe, including France, Poland, and Italy. This rapid expansion was largely due to Germany's leading diplomat, Baron Adolf Franz Friederich Knigge, restructuring the order and helping to spread Illuminism by recruiting Freemasons.
His rapid growth ultimately contributed to his downfall. In June 1784, Bavarian ruler Carl Theodore outlawed all secret societies, then in March 1785, he named the Illuminati an offshoot of Freemasonry, an illegal organization.
The government begins eliminating members of the Illuminati, causing Weishaupt to flee Bavaria. In August 1787, Duke Karl Theodore Dalberg of Bavaria dealt the final blow to the Illuminati when he issued harsher punishments, including the death penalty, for anyone who was part of the organization.
Several later organizations have claimed to be a continuation of the original Illuminati, and some have claimed that the Illuminati have survived to the present day, but these claims are largely unfounded.