Despite the portrayal of the "Illuminati" in modern popular culture, they were indeed a real secret society during the Enlightenment era. Their aim was to counter superstition, obscurantism, the influence of religion (especially that of the Jesuits), and the abuses of power.
These progressive ideas were widely disseminated across Europe through academies, Masonic lodges, literary salons, coffeehouses etc, and ultimately contributed to the French Revolution and other similar movements.
Initially established as an alternative to Masonry, the Illuminati faced challenges in gaining ground against the established Freemasons and the influential Rosicrucians, who held significant sway in German intellectual circles. Ultimately, they failed to withstand their suppression in Bavaria and died out
tl;dr: An event analogous to the French Revolution specifically in Southern Germany.
Of course, the French Revolution happened in France for a reason (the Old Regime, widespread famine, etc.). And I really don't know how things were going in the Electorate/Kingdom of Bavaria at the time - whether such an revolution could happen there.
Also... we have a *small* problem called Prussia, so I think to make this work we would need to drastically change the unification of the German States
*inspired by this post on r/imaginarymaps
These progressive ideas were widely disseminated across Europe through academies, Masonic lodges, literary salons, coffeehouses etc, and ultimately contributed to the French Revolution and other similar movements.
Initially established as an alternative to Masonry, the Illuminati faced challenges in gaining ground against the established Freemasons and the influential Rosicrucians, who held significant sway in German intellectual circles. Ultimately, they failed to withstand their suppression in Bavaria and died out
tl;dr: An event analogous to the French Revolution specifically in Southern Germany.
Of course, the French Revolution happened in France for a reason (the Old Regime, widespread famine, etc.). And I really don't know how things were going in the Electorate/Kingdom of Bavaria at the time - whether such an revolution could happen there.
Also... we have a *small* problem called Prussia, so I think to make this work we would need to drastically change the unification of the German States
*inspired by this post on r/imaginarymaps