Jewish Space Lasers

1. Ancient Roots of Jewish Money Tropes

Ultimately, Jewish “greed” is just one part of the stereotype about Jews and money—but it’s the part that’s most often weaponized against them.

Historical context. Stereotypes linking Jews to money, often negatively, date back to early Christianity and medieval Europe. Forbidden from many trades, Jews often became moneylenders, a necessary but often resented profession due to religious prohibitions on usury for Christians. This historical role, born of necessity, became the basis for enduring tropes.

Weaponized stereotypes. The image of the greedy, conniving Jew obsessed with wealth accumulation became deeply embedded in Western culture. This stereotype, often divorced from the historical reasons for Jewish involvement in finance, has been used to justify persecution, expulsion, and violence against Jewish communities throughout history.

Enduring canards. Even today, seemingly benign jokes about Jewish frugality or the idea of Jews being "good with money" carry echoes of these ancient tropes. More dangerously, the "greedy Jew" stereotype is still weaponized by antisemites to portray Jews as controlling global finance and exploiting non-Jews.

2. The Rothschilds' Rise to Global Financial Power

Mayer’s story, and that of his entire family, isn’t atypical of other Jews in that sphere—modestly prosperous, hemmed in by culture and tradition, and trying to keep their own company as pressure increased for them to convert.

Humble beginnings. The Rothschild dynasty began with Mayer Amschel Rothschild in the Frankfurt Judengasse, a walled ghetto where Jews faced severe restrictions. Starting as a textile merchant and coin dealer, Mayer built connections, notably becoming a "court Jew" to German royalty, a precarious position that offered opportunity but little security.

Family expansion. Mayer's five sons expanded the family business across Europe, establishing banking houses in London, Paris, Vienna, and Naples, alongside the original Frankfurt house. This network, facilitated by a private courier system, allowed them to move money and information quickly, giving them a crucial advantage in international finance, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars.

Becoming "Money's Prophets". By financing nations and managing war debts, the Rothschilds became central figures in European finance, developing the international bond market. Their success transformed them from a prosperous Jewish family into a global dynasty, renowned for their wealth, influence, and steadfast adherence to their Jewish identity.

3. The Enduring Waterloo Myth and Early Conspiracy

More than any other member of the original generation of Rothschilds, even more than his father Mayer, myth and mystique surrounds Nathan Rothschild.

The legend is born. The most famous Rothschild myth centers on Nathan's supposed manipulation of the London Stock Exchange after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The story claims Nathan received news of Napoleon's defeat before anyone else, used this information to cause a panic and buy up depressed British stocks, and made an immense fortune, thus gaining control of British finance.

Myth vs. reality. While Nathan likely received news of the victory early through the family's network, historical evidence suggests his profits from the immediate aftermath of Waterloo were modest, certainly not enough to "buy England." The family's wealth grew significantly during the Napoleonic Wars, but through consistent lending and managing the Elector's fortune, not a single dramatic coup.

The "Satan" pamphlet. The sensationalized version of the Waterloo story, portraying Nathan as a ruthless manipulator, was popularized decades later by figures like the anonymous pamphleteer "Satan" (Mathieu Georges Dairnvaell) in 1846. This pamphlet, linking Nathan's supposed Waterloo gains to the Fampoux train derailment owned by James, cemented the image of the Rothschilds as greedy, cruel, and willing to profit from disaster.

4. Rothschilds as Scapegoats in European Antisemitism

The works they produced and their posthumously published private writings were hyperbolic in their antisemitism, outrageous in their accusations, and massively influential for decades to come.

Socialist resentment. As industrialization and capitalism grew in 19th-century Europe, socialist thinkers like Alphonse Toussenel and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon blamed wealthy Jews, particularly the Rothschilds, for economic inequality and societal ills. They portrayed the family as "kings of finance" who exploited the working class, contributing to the concept of "economic antisemitism."

The Dreyfus Affair. The late 19th century saw renewed antisemitic fervor in France, culminating in the Dreyfus Affair. Right-wing writers like Edouard Drumont, author of the widely influential "Jewish France," attacked the Rothschilds as the head of a Jewish "Syndicate" controlling French society and finance, fueling public distrust and violence against Jews.

Propaganda fodder. These European antisemitic narratives, portraying the Rothschilds as rootless, greedy, and all-powerful, became foundational texts for later propagandists. They provided a ready-made framework for blaming Jews for national problems and laid the groundwork for the systematic dehumanization that would enable the Holocaust.

5. American Myths Outpace Rothschild Presence

The legend of the Rothschilds was greatly out of proportion with their presence in the United States—a country that many family members continued to see as a backwater with an impenetrable Christian culture that didn’t want them.

Limited US footprint. Despite their global reach, the Rothschilds had a relatively limited and often troubled business presence in the United States. Family members were reluctant to move there, relying instead on agents like August Belmont, whose complex relationship with the family meant they missed out on key opportunities in American banking.

Civil War conspiracy. Despite their minimal involvement, conspiracy theories falsely claimed the Rothschilds funded both sides of the American Civil War to divide the nation and profit. These myths, popularized decades later by figures like Count Arthur Cherep-Spiridovich and Father Charles Coughlin, portrayed the family as orchestrating the conflict for financial gain and even assassinating Abraham Lincoln.

Federal Reserve myths. The Rothschilds had no role in the 1913 founding of the US Federal Reserve. However, post-war conspiracy theorists, notably Eustace Mullins, falsely claimed the family was the secret power behind the Fed, using it to control the American money supply and enslave the population through debt.

6. Nazi Propaganda Weaponizes Rothschilds for Genocide

As the Nazis prepared to unleash their “final solution” on Europe, it was critical for the German people and their allies to be convinced that Jews weren’t just greedy or cheap, but rootless, backstabbing, Christ-killing parasites who ruined Germany and sent the world’s economy into a spiral to increase their wealth.

State-sponsored hate. The Nazi regime systematically weaponized existing antisemitic tropes and Rothschild conspiracy theories to justify the persecution and extermination of Jews. Propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels commissioned films, plays, and publications that portrayed the Rothschilds as the ultimate symbol of Jewish control and depravity.

Distorted narratives. Films like "The Rothschilds' Shares in Waterloo" twisted historical events to depict Nathan Rothschild as a villainous schemer who profited from war and misery. "The Eternal Jew," a notorious propaganda film, used footage from the Hollywood film "The House of Rothschild" out of context to portray Jews, led by the Rothschilds, as a parasitic race infecting Europe.

Real-world consequences. This relentless propaganda, combined with the economic hardship of the Great Depression, helped turn public apathy into active hatred. While the Rothschilds themselves largely escaped the death camps, their properties were looted, their assets seized, and family members were forced into exile, demonstrating the tangible impact of state-sponsored antisemitism.

7. Post-War Conspiracy Theories Keep Rothschilds Central

As always, where hate grew, grift blossomed.

Cold War paranoia. The post-World War II era saw antisemitic conspiracy theories adapt to the new geopolitical landscape, linking Jewish power to the fear of communism and "one world government." Figures like Eustace Mullins, inspired by Ezra Pound, published influential books like "Secrets of the Federal Reserve," cementing the false idea of Rothschild control over American central banking.

The "London Connection". Mullins and others promoted the notion of a "London Connection," a secret alliance between the Rothschilds and other financial elites controlling global finance and politics. These theories, often filled with bizarre and unevidenced claims, portrayed the Rothschilds as the ultimate puppet masters behind major world events and institutions.

Mainstreaming the fringe. Publications like "Common Sense" and "Instauration," along with figures like W. Cleon Skousen and William Gayley Simpson, continued to push anti-Rothschild narratives, often blending them with anti-communist, anti-immigrant, and white supremacist ideologies. These works, though often obscure, laid the groundwork for the wider acceptance of these theories in later decades.

8. The Internet Amplifies and Diversifies Rothschild Myths

When conspiracy theory culture moved online, it was following a pattern of early crank adoption of new technology, from easy duplication of photos fueling the Dreyfus Affair to home video equipment making it easier to make and distribute conspiracy films.

Early online spread. The advent of the internet provided a new, rapid, and decentralized platform for spreading conspiracy theories. Early online forums and websites quickly became hubs for anti-Rothschild content, often copy-pasting existing tropes from books and newsletters.

New variations emerge. The internet's low barrier to entry allowed anyone to create and disseminate their own Rothschild conspiracy theories. This led to a proliferation of increasingly bizarre and unevidenced claims, such as the Rothschilds owning all central banks, orchestrating plane crashes (MH370, MH17), or possessing trillions in hidden wealth.

Viral spread and normalization. Social media platforms enabled these theories to go viral, reaching massive audiences and becoming normalized through repetition and sharing. Memes, short videos, and easily digestible content made complex (and false) narratives about Rothschild power accessible to millions, often without context or fact-checking.

9. Rothschilds in Pop Culture: Myth vs. Reality

Is it even possible to write or talk about the Rothschilds without lapsing into antisemitic conspiracy theories?

Literary portrayals. From the 19th century onwards, the Rothschilds appeared in literature, sometimes admired for their success (Disraeli, Heine), sometimes satirized for their wealth (Balzac, Thackeray). These portrayals often leaned into the mystique of their fortune and influence, contributing to the public perception of them as figures of immense power.

Jewish aspiration. For many Jews, the Rothschilds represented a symbol of aspiration and resilience, demonstrating that it was possible to achieve immense success while remaining Jewish. This perspective is reflected in works like Sholom Aleichem's "If I Were a Rothschild" and the musical "Fiddler on the Roof," where the name signifies unimaginable wealth and the ability to help one's community.

Modern depictions. More recent works, like Frederic Morton's biography and the musical "The Rothschilds," attempted to explore the family's story, though sometimes still perpetuating myths. Modern pop culture references, particularly in rap music, often use the Rothschild name as shorthand for extreme wealth, while figures like the "Jazz Baroness" Nica Rothschild offer alternative narratives of family members pursuing non-financial passions.

10. Global Reach of Rothschild Conspiracy Theories

Despite the linguistic and cultural barriers at work, some things translate into any language.

Beyond the West. Rothschild conspiracy theories are not confined to countries with large Jewish populations. The tropes of Jewish wealth and power have spread globally, finding audiences in nations with little or no historical Jewish presence, often fueled by local economic anxieties and anti-Western sentiment.

Middle Eastern narratives. In the Muslim world, particularly after the rise of Zionism, Rothschild myths merged with anti-Israel sentiment and interpretations of the Protocols. State-sponsored media in countries like Syria and Iran produced lavish productions portraying the Rothschilds as orchestrating global conspiracies and ritualistic crimes.

Asian adaptations. In countries like China and Japan, where Jewish populations are tiny, "Jewish business books" promoting supposed Jewish financial secrets became popular. More dangerously, books like China's "Currency Wars" and Japan's anti-Jewish tracts blamed the Rothschilds for economic crises and attempts by the West to undermine their nations.

11. George Soros Inherits the Rothschild Conspiracy Mantle

Every bizarre accusation, trope, and conspiracy theory pushed out about the Rothschilds would be repurposed and updated for Soros.

A new target. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, progressive billionaire George Soros became the primary focus of many conspiracy theories previously directed at the Rothschilds. His wealth, Jewish identity, and open support for liberal causes made him a perfect scapegoat for those seeking to blame a single figure for societal changes and political opposition.

Recycled tropes. The same accusations leveled against the Rothschilds—controlling global politics and finance, orchestrating wars and economic crises, leading a shadowy cabal, and being a "fake Jew"—were seamlessly transferred to Soros. Conspiracy theorists, often the same individuals who promoted Rothschild myths, effortlessly pivoted to targeting Soros.

Rapid proliferation. Unlike the Rothschild myths, which evolved over centuries, the Soros conspiracy industry grew rapidly, fueled by mainstream conservative media and the internet. Accusations, often based on twisted facts or outright falsehoods, spread quickly, leading to real-world consequences like increased security threats and acts of violence against Soros and those associated with him.

12. The Persistence and Danger of Antisemitic Scapegoating

Humans are simply too hard-wired to ever leave behind the demand for someone to blame their problems on.

An enduring mechanism. Antisemitism, often expressed through financial conspiracy theories centered on figures like the Rothschilds and Soros, is a persistent and adaptable mechanism for scapegoating. It provides a simple, external explanation for complex societal problems, appealing to those seeking easy answers and someone to blame.

Modern amplification. The internet and social media have dramatically increased the speed and reach of these hateful narratives. Fringe theories, once confined to obscure publications, can now go viral instantly, reaching millions and influencing public discourse and political movements.

Real-world violence. The normalization and widespread dissemination of antisemitic conspiracy theories have tangible and dangerous consequences. They inspire acts of harassment, vandalism, and violence, carried out by individuals radicalized by the belief that Jewish figures like Soros are orchestrating plots that threaten their way of life.

Last updated: May 2, 2025