In reality, the Rothschild banks are not – as has been repeatedly alleged – members of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the biggest of the Fed’s 12 banks) and nor do those banks which are members “control” the Fed itself.
It is the conspiracy theory perhaps most beloved by antisemitic anoraks the world over. First peddled in the mid 19th century, it’s now nearly 200 years and the myth that the Rothschild family – having plotted and profited from wars, caused the Holocaust and arranged the assassination of political opponents – secretly control the global economy is still going strong.
Earlier this year, Marine Le Pen drew none too subtle allusions between “the world of finance” and Emmanuel Macron – a one-time employee of the Rothschild investment bank – in what one observer dubbed “conspiracy-mongering”.
The Rothschilds have long been a favourite target of fascists. The Nazis made a 1940 movie about them, while American white supremacists and antisemites such as the Liberty Lobby have obsessed over their supposed control of the Federal Reserve Bank.
But the far-right does not have a monopoly on this one. In February, a former Labour parliamentary candidate shared a social media post about the Rothchilds “owning Israel” – which, in turned, controlled the US Congress and executive branch. Two years ago, the Green party was forced to apologise when its foreign affairs spokesman (himself a former Labour MP) linked the family to the rise of Isis.
The original and most powerful Rothschild conspiracy theory contains many of the core elements of its later variations. The subject of the 1940 Goebbels production Die Rothschilds Aktien auf Waterloo, it dates back to 1846 and was published in a pamphlet written under the pseudonym Satan. It focuses on Nathan Rothschild, founder of the London branch of the bank and son of the dynasty’s creator, Mayer Amschel Rothschild.
As Brian Cathcart, professor of journalism at Kingston University and author of News From Waterloo: The Race To Tell Britain of Wellington’s Victory, has recounted, “Satan” (the cover adopted by a French left-wing antisemite Georges Dairnvaell), alleged that Nathan was on the battlefield in June 1815 to witness the French defeat. Hastily returning to Britain before the news broke back home, he was able to use his knowledge to make 20 million francs on the stock exchange. In Dairnvaell’s telling, Cathcart writes, the Rothschilds’ “vast fortune was built upon the bloodshed of the battle of Waterloo”.
Later variants of the story had Nathan in London but, still receiving the news before others, manipulating the stock exchange to cause a collapse in the price of shares, which he scooped up before the market rocketed when the news of Wellington’s victory was announced.
Over time, the edifice upon which Dairnvaell constructed his story was demolished. Nathan was not at Waterloo. The newspaper which allegedly reported the story of his share spending spree turned out to contain no such item. And there was, in fact, not even a huge collapse in share prices from which he could have profited.
At most, Nathan, like some others in the City, appears to have received the news of the French defeat several hours before the it officially broke. That news appears, too, to have allowed Nathan – as an employee of the bank wrote a month later – to have “done well” but, as Cathcart suggests, the market was not sufficiently buoyant to have allowed him to make gains on anywhere near the scale alleged by Dairnvaille, nor did he do as well as rival investors who had previously purchased huge numbers of government securities.
Nonetheless, thanks to the Rothschilds’ vast wealth – the French novelist Theophile Gautier would later write of the “century of the Rothschilds” – vast conspiracies continued to be spun: that the family pulled the strings behind a succession of French 19th century monarchs, including Louis XVIII, Louis-Philippe and Napoloen III; turned Otto von Bismarck into an “agent”; and worked to foment the 1870 Franco-Prussian war.
The notion that, as the leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, put it in 1995: “The Rothschilds financed both sides of all European wars” was a recurring myth. Their aim, according to Farrakhan and his followers, was “to get their hands on the Central Bank of America”; a goal apparently achieved with the passage of the 1913 legislation establishing the Federal Reserve Bank. In reality, the Rothschild banks are not – as has been repeatedly alleged – members of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the biggest of the Fed’s 12 banks) and nor do those banks which are members “control” the Fed itself. That role is exercised by board of governors, who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Similarly, the Rothschilds have also been accused of having “took over” the Bank of England during the famous “panic of 1825” stock market crash. Again, this is false: the Rothschilds helped ease the Bank’s liquidity crisis by giving it a loan which was later repaid.
The alleged words of Nathan Rothschild – “The man who controls Britain’s money supply controls the British Empire, and I control the British money supply” – are frequently used to support the theories about the Rothschilds’ control of the Fed and Bank of England. But, argues Brian Dunning, an expert on conspiracy theories, these words (which are also sometimes attributed to his father, Mayer) appear never to have been uttered by Nathan. Instead, their origin seems to lie in a – false – 1939 quote by the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, Robert L Owen.
Perhaps the most pernicious and offensive of the Rothschild conspiracy theories, however, is that the family somehow engineered the second world war and the Holocaust in order to generate the sympathy necessary to establish the state of Israel. But, as Dunning notes, the “only seed of truth” to the claim that the Rothschilds “funded the Holocaust” is that the Nazis seized the Austrian Rothschilds’ assets, effectively holding the head of the family, Baron Louis, prisoner for several months as they stole his money. But for those wishing to stir the pot of antisemitism, the facts are never allowed to get in the way of a good story.
@ Brian Norris: You said,
” I have read and noted your views which are welcome as any are “Food For Thought”.”
Thanks, Brian. That’s exactly what I wanted. BTW, my father was a professing agnostic; but when he died, he passed on to me a Strong’s Concordance, a Vine’s Dictionary of Old Testament Words and a bible commentary. He was a smart man, teaching himself Physics and Calculus, as well as how to play and make his own violins — all on only eight years of schooling.
@ Edgar G.:
Edgar, my meshugga friend, please take your medication and calm down! The episode will pass.
@ Michael S:
No I am a lifetime Agnostic partly due to having had a Marxist Father and a Orthodox Mother who upon marrying my Father was “Disowned” by her family.
I at an early age read avariciously all the Religious books of all the main Faiths
and that is why I am an Agnostic although I am drawn to the teachings of many Rabbi’s and the Torah. Politically I am a Centrist but find certain aspects of the Right and Left compatible with some of my own views.
I don’t doubt that certain forces are allied in disparate causes for control of Resources both Human and Mineral etc. etc.as nowadays No One Group can control everything. Of all the Main Religions One stands out as extremely Secretive and Vindictive to it’s Unbelievers and has Historically “Controlled” the minds of it’s adherent’s to the detriment of all others and has NOT been Defanged as yet! Another was a “Latecomer” to the field and in spite of having some good attributes has now in many cases allowed itself to be used as a “Tool” by outside forces to destabilize the Middle East!
Anyway I have read and noted your views which are welcome as any are “Food For Thought”.
Lehaim!
@ Michael S:
You dirty lying dog. Do not use my name in your rambling farrago of criminal self accusation, where exculpation is absent. You should be permanently banned from this site and all your posts removed, so that the noxious odour is gone.
Ted I believ that the Austrian Rothschild was finally held by the Vichy crew and they squezed 21 mill dollars for the Nazia..
@ Brian Norris:
Hi, Brian. By your use of the expression, “short time on this Planet”, I assume you’re a Christian, though the concept appears repeatedly in Tanakh. Whatever your sect or bent, I’ll assume that you wouldn’t be awfully offended if I referred to the book of Revelation. I believe there is a key there, that explains much of what is happening today, which has an important secondary impact on Israel.
The passage is in Rev. 17, which describes a “great harlot” that rides on a multi-headed, dragon-like beast.
There are three prominent evil beasts mentioned in Rev. The first comes out of the (Mediterranean) Sea; and in John’s day it referred to the Roman Empire:
Rev.13
[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
That beast is referred to simply as “the beast”. The second beast had a completely different form, and is referred to elsewhere as “the false prophet”. I don’t know exactly who he is, but he seems to be akin to the “Lords of the Universe” in hi-tech, perhaps AI:
Rev. 13:
[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
The third beast, called “the dragon”, is the devil himself; he is isomorphous with the first beast; but instead of representing empires and kingdoms, he represents the spirit that gives them power. The “harlot” sits on him:
Rev. 17:
[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
[16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
[17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city (Rome, and hence the Vatican), which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
I was puzzled for years, how a religious entity like the Vatican would have the tremendous political and economic significance ascribed to her. The current political and economic crisis, however, in which the Vatican plays an important (perhaps central) role, made the pieces fit together in my mind.
Until listening to the likes of Charlie Ward, I didn’t realize how much people connect “Israel” and “the Zionists” with the Vatican-led cabal described above. The “backbone” of the conspiracy is a Vatican-City of London-Washington, DC axis; and the City of London is strongly connected with the Bank of England (formed by collusion between the Royal Family, the Rothschilds and the merchant class of England); but their role is merely that of an intermediate. Washington, DC (and hence the “Corporation of the USA”), along with the American people, play the roles of debt slaves of the BOE (as intermediary) and ultimately of the Vatican:
Rev. 18
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
[12] The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
[13] And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
That’s about it. Shalom shalom 🙂
The fact that a number of individuals who happened to be Jewish managed like many others of assorted religions and races to accumulate monies and positions in “The Elite” in many countries and utilized (Not In All Cases) this to assist their race/religion co-adherents does NOT a Conspiracy make!
Anyone who believes The Jews want to take over the World obviously has never studied Jewish Politics nor seen The Knesset in action which is as always “A House Divided”! Conspiracy Theories are an easy way to explain complicated Political situations. Man (And even more Women) is a fallible complicated being
the majority of whom have since the dawning of time indulged in a game of “One Upmanship” throughout their actual short time on this Planet .We come into this world with Nothing and leave the same way! Death is the great leveler and most approach it with trepidation both believer and unbeliever. Lets just try to mutually get on while we are here together Eh?
Hi, Bear. I hope you forgive me, for hurling a terrible invective (or two) at you. The “Nazi” one seems to be rather shocking to most Jews, though it doesn’t mean much to me (I’ve come to know a couple of Germans in my life, who grew up in the Hitler Youth, and they turned out to be excellent people). I’ve got my own list of bugaboos, based on character rather than religion. Know-it-alls and bullies both have prominent places in that menagerie; and you and Edgar both fit well.
As for “Ymach shmo”, an expression that I believe Yamit82 used to use as about every tenth word, I understand that this does hold some cachet — sort of like ghetto blacks calling each other “niggers”. I DO give that expression some weight, because it is a curse; and God does not take curses lightly. Because of that, I do release you from it, if only for my own sake. Even if I did not, however, I don’t believe Hashem would deal harshly with me over it; because, after all, having the memory of our name eternally forgotten has a remedy: We simply need to get a new name from the Almighty:
Revelation 2:
[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
If you don’t overcome, of course, what does it matter whether your name is remembered or not? There are much worse fates awaiting the obstinate.
Whether or not Jew-haters think this or that, that is of little matter to me: It’s their own problem. I sensed however that your calling ME a Jew-hater was meant purely as an insult, and I responded in kind. You were being a bully, and I dealt with you as I would other bullies. But concerning the Rothschilds, I mean what I said: They are a family highly esteemed by people who are impressed by wealth and high position; and I am not impressed by either.
Do you want to know how the Rothschild family ranks? Edgar immediately latched on to their net worth, which I suppose he thinks scores points with me. I did read in one place that the whole clan is worth perhaps $500,000,000,000. Elon Musk, by comparison, is now the richest individual in the world, with a net worth of $185 billion. Whoopie doo! to all of them.
John F. Kennedy wrote a book, published in 1958, titled “A Nation of Immigrants”. I believe it’s in that book that I saw a chart showing the distribution of wealth according to religion. Catholics, at that time, owned some 2% of the country, and Protestants some 95%, even though Catholics only comprised some 30% of the people. Jews came in at 3% — about the same as their number at that time. So, despite being PERCEIVED as fabulously wealthy in general, they really only average in at upper middle class. I believe the enhanced perception is due to the fact that prominent Jews have been used by prominent gentiles as middle-men.
I also notice that you use the term “conspiracy theories”. It might be instructive to you, to note that the minute I see that term used, I assume that the “theory” referred to is probably true. Trump supporters like myself are continually being called “conspiracy theorists”, and all the vocal ones I know of have been banned by major platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
I don’t know what the “Mossad” connection is (in reality, not in the world of perceptions). Since that group has rubbed shoulders with the CIA for several decades, though, I think it’s safe to assume the two are peas in the same pod; and the CIA has figured prominently in the coup attempt against President Trump.
The article is accurate in pointing out that the Rothschild’s are used by anti-Semites otherwise known as Jew haters for a longtime as one of many global conspiracy theories blamed on Jews. Currently these Jew haters now also include Mossad in their theories.
These hater mongers are even found on the pages of Israpundit.