12 Historical Conspiracy Theories That Make Me Question Everything My History Teachers Taught Me

For those fascinated by history and intrigued by conspiracies, a Reddit thread surfaced with users sharing the most intriguing historical conspiracy theories. Here are some of the standout claims:

1. The Plan of San Diego

The Plan of San Diego was a mysterious document proposing the secession of Texas, Colorado, Arizona, California, and New Mexico, eventually merging with Mexico. Controversially, it called for the elimination of all white men over 16 in those areas. The conspiracy arises from the document's unknown authorship and theories that it originated in Mexico to incite rebellion.

2. The "Existence" of D.B. Cooper

D.B. Cooper is the name used by a man who hijacked Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle, demanding a $200,000 ransom. Some believe Cooper never existed and that the hijacking was fabricated by the flight attendants who divided the money among themselves.

3. The Donation of Constantine

Originally a decree by Constantine the Great transferring Roman authority to the Pope, the Donation was revealed in the 1400s to be a forgery. By that time, the Pope already wielded immense power across Europe, fueling theories about manipulation of historical records to legitimize the Church's influence.

4. The Phantom Time Hypothesis

Proposed in 1991 by German historian Heribert Illig, this theory suggests that nearly 300 years of history, including the reign of Charlemagne, were fabricated to place Emperor Otto III in a "significant" year. While debunked, some fringe historians still entertain its possibility.

5. The Assassination of JFK

Officially, Lee Harvey Oswald killed President John F. Kennedy with three shots in 1963. Conspiracists argue that Oswald fired only two shots and that a Secret Service agent accidentally fired the fatal third shot, questioning the official narrative.

6. The Sinking of the USS Maine

The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, an event that triggered the Spanish-American War. Some conspiracy theories claim the explosion was a deliberate act by the United States to justify war against Spain.

7. Charles Manson and the CIA

Infamous cult leader Charles Manson is rumored to have been part of the CIA's MKUltra program, an illegal human experimentation initiative focused on mind control, interrogation, and psychological manipulation.

8. Reagan's October Surprise

During the 1980 presidential election, it is alleged that Ronald Reagan colluded with Iranian officials to delay the release of 66 American hostages, undermining Jimmy Carter's presidency and securing Reagan's victory.

9. The Titanic Swap Theory

Some claim that the Titanic disaster involved its sister ship, the Olympic, as part of a scheme orchestrated by JP Morgan to eliminate wealthy passengers for financial gain, rather than being an accidental sinking.

10. The True Author of Shakespeare's Works

While William Shakespeare is celebrated as the author of iconic plays, conspiracy theories suggest he may have been a pseudonym, or that multiple individuals contributed to the works attributed to him.

11. Jack Ryan as CIA Propaganda

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, featuring a CIA operative, is believed by some to have been used as a pro-CIA propaganda tool, especially following praise from President Ronald Reagan.

12. The Moon Landing Hoax

Despite overwhelming evidence, some still claim that the 1969 moon landing was staged to claim victory in the Space Race, although historical records confirm the mission's success.

These theories continue to intrigue and divide opinions among history enthusiasts. Which ones make you question everything you thought you knew?

Author: Lucas Grant