anti-masonic movement

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Definition of anti-masonic movement in English English dictionary

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Anti-Masonic Movement

Popular movement in the U.S. in the 1830s opposed to Freemasonry. The movement was ignited in 1826 by the disappearance and presumed murder of a New York bricklayer and former Mason, who had supposedly intended to reveal the order's secrets. Reaction against the Masons swept through the northeastern U.S. In 1831 the Anti-Masonic Party became the first U.S. third party and the first party to hold a national convention. It condemned Freemasonry for its secrecy and undemocratic character. Its candidate won Vermont in the 1832 election. By the late 1830s the Anti-Masonic movement had been absorbed into the Whig Party

Hyphenation

anti-masonic move-ment