What role did Freemasonry play in the American Revolution?
Freemasonry played a significant, though often indirect, role in the American Revolution by fostering a spirit of unity, liberty, and reasoned discourse among its members. Many prominent Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere, were Freemasons. The fraternity's emphasis on brotherhood, equality, and the pursuit of knowledge provided a common ground for men from diverse backgrounds to connect and collaborate.
As historian Arturo de Hoyos notes in Freemasonry in America, "The principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, central to Masonic teachings, resonated deeply with the ideals of the American Revolution." Lodges served as meeting places where revolutionary ideas could be discussed and plans formulated, contributing to the intellectual and social climate that led to independence. While not a direct political organization, Freemasonry's influence lay in shaping the character and fostering the connections of the men who would ultimately lead the nation.