The Knights of the Golden Circle was a secret society founded in the mid-19th century, primarily in the United States. Its members aimed to promote the expansion of slavery and the establishment of a slaveholding empire in the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. The organization was active during the American Civil War and sought to create a new nation that would support and protect the institution of slavery. The group was founded by George Bickley in 1854 and attracted various members, including politicians and military figures. Although it had some influence, the Knights of the Golden Circle ultimately failed to achieve its goals, especially after the defeat of the Confederacy in the Civil War.