Freemasonry in the United States

It is a fraternal order that brings men together (and women through its auxiliaries) to gain friendship and opportunity for advancement and community progress.

Initially, these Warrants were issued to individuals, to act as deputies for the Grand Master in a given area for fixed periods of time, and some confusion resulted due to overlapping jurisdictions.

[12] In Latin America and continental Europe, where the French lodges predominated, Freemasonry was deep into politics and opposition to the Catholic Church.

[13] Historian Mark Carnes argues that the Freemasons, along with other fraternal societies including the Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of Pythias, helped redefine traditional masculinity through new secret rituals.

[14] A leading California Mason had a vision of Freemasonry that rejected "Dreaminess and Nambi-Pambyism," as well as "sloppy sentimentalism" or "a lady's sewing circle" or a "church pink tea."

Sarah Josepha Hale in 1823, with the financial support of her late husband's lodge, published a collection of her poems titled The Genius of Oblivion.

The Masonic movement continued their support for Hale's promotion of traditional ladylike roles throughout her career, especially when she served as editor for forty years of the nation's most influential women's magazine, Godey's Lady's Book.

The Anti-Masons saw conspiracy and argued that secretive, powerful Masons posed a threat to American republicanism by plotting to control the government.

The Anti-Masons brought to the Whigs an intense distrust of politicians, a rejection of automatic party loyalty, and innovative campaign techniques to excite voters.

The few Anti-Masons who would become leading politicians such as William H. Seward, Thurlow Weed and Thaddeus Stevens, became leaders of the Whig and Republican parties.

According to Joachim Berger, from the late 19th century Masonic lodges spearheaded efforts to form permanent links between nations.

They played an especially active role in 1914-1919, as the leaders that fought against Germany worked hard to promote public opinion favorable to longstanding rivals who were now military allies.