Are the illuminati real? - Chip Berlet
- 4,698,066 Views
- 6,494 Questions Answered
- TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
The year was 1776. In Bavaria, new ideals of rationalism, religious freedom and universal human rights competed with the Catholic church’s heavy influence over public affairs. Adam Weishaupt, a law professor frustrated with the Church’s ideology, decided to spread his ideas through a secret society: the Illuminati. Chip Berlet dives into the history, ideals and rituals of the infamous group.
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
studyInvestigative journalist, and the educator of this lesson, Chip Berlet has put a website together on how to evaluate modern day conspiracy theories. Berlet takes us back to the illuminati's association with conspiracy theories up until modern day conspiracies.
Interested in learning about the history behind the separation of Church and state in the United States? Check out Time’s piece tracing back the separation of state and church.
For a closure look into Adam Weishaupt’s personal life, and what inspired him to find the illuminati, check out National Geographic’s piece, Meet the Man who started the Illuminati.
Curious about why the Illuminati are associated with conspiracy theories, check out this article dunking their modern day astigmatism. Timeline asses the secret society’s internal development across time.
Check out Chip Berlet's study on how conspiracy theories, demonization and scapegoating affect democracy
Interested in learning about the history behind the separation of Church and state in the United States? Check out Time’s piece tracing back the separation of state and church.
For a closure look into Adam Weishaupt’s personal life, and what inspired him to find the illuminati, check out National Geographic’s piece, Meet the Man who started the Illuminati.
Curious about why the Illuminati are associated with conspiracy theories, check out this article dunking their modern day astigmatism. Timeline asses the secret society’s internal development across time.
Check out Chip Berlet's study on how conspiracy theories, demonization and scapegoating affect democracy

TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
More from The World's People and Places
543,163 Views
492,218 Views
204,417 Views
469,694 Views