Beginnings of the Illuminati

According to what we now know, the Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria (commonly known as the Bavarian Illuminati) were founded by Adam Weishaupt (Spartacus) on May 1, 1776, based on his early training from Jesuit priests. Other, anti-Masonic sources report that Weishaupt was hostile to Jesuits and the Catholic church.

These Bavarian Illuminati where in fact part of what was then the rapidly expanding Freemason movement which was exploding across Europe and the New World.

Much of what is known about the aims and goals of the Illuminati has been obtained from papers written by Weishaupt and by documents obtained during a search of the residence of Xavier Zwack, a high-ranking Illuminatus in Landshut, Bavaria. These documents have never been publicly available so much of what is written and surmised about them is theoretical.

But according to one source what is contained in these documents could be summarized as follows:

To bring under one will thousands of men all over the world, but especially in Germany and France, by the attraction of mystery alone, to turn these men into new beings strictly by means of a slow and gradual education, to render them obedient to their invisible and unknown chiefs. These men were to secretly exercise pressure on the minds of men, to surround sovereigns, to direct governments and to abolish all superstitions (read religions) in Europe. All monarchies overthrown, all privileges of birth to be declared unjust and even the right of property to be done away with.

The above is supposed to be part of the illuminati project, remember this is something that was apparently written in the 18th century, I have found no way of knowing if this is true or if it is in any way related to what today is considered the Illuminati, which as we all know is a very secret organization.