When Did Conspiracy Theory Become A Thing?

Conspiracy theory is a term that refers to the belief that an event or phenomenon occurs due to a conspiracy between interested parties, often political and oppressive in intent. The term has been used since at least 1863, particularly after the 1881 shooting of then-President James A. Garfield. The CIA claimed to have invented the term in 1967 to disqualify those who questioned the official version of John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

Conspiration theories have played a significant role in conflicts from the Indian wars of the 17th century to the labor battles of the Gilded Age, from the American Revolution to the present day. The term “conspiracy theory” emerged in the 1950s, but it has had a bad reputation since then. Politicians use it to mock and dismiss allegations against them, while philosophers and political scientists warn that it could be used as a rhetorical weapon.

Academic research into conspiracy theories has only emerged in the 1930s, with Karl Raimund Popper being the philosopher who put conspiracy theories on the philosophical agenda. The term “conspiracy theory” has been used to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small powerful group, rejecting the accepted explanations.

In conclusion, conspiracy theories have a long history, but their popularity has only grown more recently since the 1950s. While some argue that they can be used as a rhetorical weapon, others argue that they are essential for understanding and addressing the complex issues surrounding these theories.