The Anti-Masonic Uprising: Catholics and the Anti-Masonic Party

October 10, 2025
00:00 29:33
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In this episode of our American Catholic History series, we explore the dramatic rise and lasting impact of Anti-Masonry in the early United States. The strange and haunting story of William Morgan's disappearance in 1826 set off a political wildfire, leading to the creation of the Anti-Masonic Party, the nation’s first third party. We’ll trace how this populist movement emerged out of fear of secret societies, clashed with Catholic ideas, and became a launching pad for major figures like William Wirt, Millard Fillmore, Thaddeus Stevens, and William Seward. Though Catholics and Anti-Masons shared deep suspicions about Freemasonry, their goals and values rarely aligned.
#CatholicHistory #AntiMasonry #Freemasonry #AmericanHistory #SecretSocieties #Masons #WilliamMorgan #KnowNothingParty #CatholicPodcast #HistoryPodcast #AmericanCatholicism

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Music Provided by:
"Sonatina in C Minor" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Funeral March for Brass" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Crusade Heavy Perfect Loop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Agnus Dei X - Bitter Suite Kevin MacLeaod (incomptech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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Meet Your Host
Steve Guerra is a historian and podcaster who hosts three different shows. He started with the History of the Papacy Podcast in 2013. In 2017, Steve began Beyond the Big Screen, a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories behind films through lively interviews. His newest show, Organized Crime and Punishment, takes a deep dive into the roots, evolution, and impact of organized crime across different cultures and countries.
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