The History Behind: The New World Order

Developing as a Reaction to the French Revolution, This Conspiracy Theory Might Be the Most Dangerous Belief in the World

Encompassing everything from antisemitism to belief in shapeshifting lizards, the New World Order theories are wide-ranging and historic. Emerging out of the enlightenment battle for reason, the ideas have become possibly the quintessential conspiracy theory. They are seen prominently in this very moment as American President Donald Trump proclaims himself the victim of deep-state fraud. Yet, how did these ideas come to find themselves embedded in popular culture? How can they be so widely believed?

The New World Order is a story of religious war and genocide, one that has fed into both oppressive movements and ongoing efforts to quell rationality and reason. It might very well be one of the most dangerous ideas ever conceived.

The origins of belief in the Illuminati as an all-powerful group pulling the strings of governments and populations alike goes back to the French Revolution and ruling class opposition to the overthrow of the monarchy. The success of the revolution led to widespread fears that the working class were on the verge of rebellion across Europe, with many believing it impossible that the lower orders had…