All Notable Conspiracy Theories of 18th Century

The 18th century was not as prolific in terms of conspiracy theories as the 20th century, largely due to the different social, technological, and political landscape of the time. However, there were still a few notable theories and beliefs that could be considered conspiratorial or indicative of widespread public suspicion:

1. The Illuminati (1776): Originating in Bavaria, the Illuminati was a real secret society. Over time, it became the subject of various conspiracy theories suggesting it was controlling world events in an attempt to establish a New World Order.
2. Freemasonry Conspiracies: Freemasonry, a fraternal organization, was often the subject of suspicion and conspiracy theories, especially by the Catholic Church and in various European countries. Theories included accusations of Freemasons attempting to control governments and other institutions.
3. The New England Vampire Panic: While not a conspiracy theory in the traditional sense, the widespread belief in vampires in New England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries led to public hysteria and exhumation of bodies to perform rituals to “prevent” vampire attacks.
4. Witch Trials and Accusations: Although more prominent in the 17th century, remnants of witchcraft fears lingered into the 18th century. These often took the form of conspiratorial beliefs about individuals conspiring with the devil to perform witchcraft.
5. Jesuit Conspiracies: Various anti-Catholic sentiments in Protestant countries often manifested in conspiracy theories about Jesuits, including allegations of political manipulation and attempts to undermine national religions.
6. The Black Legend: A set of narratives and beliefs, particularly in Protestant countries, portraying the Spanish Empire as cruel, tyrannical, and fanatical. This often overlapped with conspiracy theories about Spanish political and religious intentions.

These examples reflect the types of fears and suspicions that were prevalent in the 18th century, often rooted in religious, political, and social anxieties of the time.

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