How Freemasonry Steered the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War

Although their influence on the social sphere was by far the largest, the masons also had an impact on military conditions during the American Revolution and War for Independence. The masons were essential in providing military camaraderie during the wars leading up to the American Revolution and during the Revolutionary war through their military lodges and inclusive stance. Military Lodges provided support and boosted morale for soldiers during the War for Independence among other wars. Military lodges were much like normal lodges except that they did not have permanent locations. These lodges were portable so that they could travel with the military and so that freemasons fighting in the war has the ability to continue their membership in the fraternity even when they were at war. There were at least 11 military lodges during the War for Independence, with the most famous being the American Union Lodge Number One (Fay 245). Having a lodge in the field created a support system for masonic soldiers because it gave them a piece of home as well as created friendships. This military morale was a masonic contribution to the Revolutionary Era because it helped empower American soldiers and created military community.

Another important piece of how the masons affected the American Revolution through the military was the fact that Military Lodges were open to soldiers of all ranks. Much like regular lodges, military lodges were not based on rank, but open to all men who met the standards of Constitutions. This separated the masons form other military groups because many of the other groups were exclusive, only allowing men holding high ranks to join. According to a chart of numbers of members depending on rank in the American Union Lodg...

... middle of paper ...

... and Freemasonry, 1680-1800,. Boston: Little, Brown, and company, 1935.

Jacob, Margaret C. The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.

Morse, Sidney. Freemasonry in the American Revolution,. Washington, D.C.: Masonic Service Association of the United States, 1924. Peters, Madison Clinton. The Masons as Makers of America: the True Story of the American Revolution. 3rd rev. ed. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Patriotic league, 1917.

Ridley, Jasper Godwin. The Freemasons: a history of the world's most powerful secret society. New York: Arcade Pub., 2011.

Sachse, Julius Friedrich. Washington's masonic correspondence as found in the Library of Congress. Philadelphia: Press of New Era Printing Co., Lancaster, Pa., 1915.

York, Neil L.. "Freemasons and the American Revolution." The Historian 55, no. 2 (1993): 315-330.