The Napoleonic era was marked by political upheaval, military campaigns, and economic turbulence. In the midst of this era, the Rothschild family emerged as a prominent force in the world of finance. Led by Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the family established an expansive banking network that spanned across Europe. Their influence extended beyond financial transactions, as they wielded significant power and had close ties with governments and monarchs. During this time, one particular event stood out — the alleged seizing of shares by spreading false information about Napoleon’s attack on England. This article delves into the tactics employed by Rothschild and explores the impact it had on the stock market, unveiling the truth behind this cunning scheme.
The Rothschild’s wielded immense financial power, thanks to their extensive banking network. Their connections stretched across national borders, enabling the family to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. With financial influence came political influence, as the Rothschild’s formed close ties with governments and monarchs, making them an integral force during times of war and uncertainty.
The Rothschild banking network expanded rapidly, encompassing major financial centers across Europe. This network allowed the family to facilitate transactions, provide loans, and offer financial advice to governments and prominent individuals. Their reputation for reliability and expertise in international finance solidified their position as a trusted source of capital for national economies.
The Rothschild’s cultivated strong relationships with governments and monarchs, making them an indispensable part of political and economic affairs. These connections granted the family valuable insights into geopolitical developments and access to privileged information. Their ability to navigate this intricate web of power and diplomacy positioned the Rothschild sat in the forefront of financial influence.
In June, 1806, when Napoleon’s troops pushed their way into Germany, Prince William fled to Denmark, leaving his money with Meyer Rothschild. History tells us that Rothschild secretly buried William’s ledgers, which revealed the full extent of his wealth, a list of debtors and the interest required from them, and 600,000 pounds ($3,000,000), to keep Napoleon from confiscating it. Buderus von Carlhausen (Carl Buderus), the Treasury official who handled William’s finances, was given ‘power of attorney,’ and he in turn made Rothschild his chief banker, responsible for collecting the interest on the royal loans. Napoleon announced that all debts being paid to Prince William, were to go to the French Treasury, and offered a 25% commission on any debts that he would collect. Rothschild refused.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s military prowess and ambitions stirred fear across Europe. After establishing his dominance over continental Europe, he set his sights on England, aiming to disrupt its economy and weaken its global influence. Napoleon’s strategies were built on a combination of military might, alliances, and economic disruption. England, as an island nation reliant on maritime trade, was particularly vulnerable to Napoleon’s plans. Its economy thrived through extensive overseas commerce, making it a prime target for disruption. The threat of a French invasion loomed large, causing widespread unease and uncertainty among the English population.
Within their extensive network, the Rothschild’s had developed a system of informants strategically placed across Europe. These informants provided valuable intelligence on political, economic, and military developments, allowing the family to anticipate and exploit opportunities.
In a stroke of financial ingenuity, the Rothschild’s exploited the fear surrounding Napoleon’s planned attack on England. By disseminating false information about the imminent invasion, they created panic in the stock markets. In this chaos, the Rothschild’s capitalized on plummeting share prices, acquiring significant holdings at bargain prices and expanding their wealth.
When Rothschild spread false information about Napoleon’s attack on England, it sent shockwaves through the stock market. Investors were caught off guard, unsure of the validity of the news and its potential consequences. As a result, the stock market experienced extreme volatility, with share prices oscillating wildly as panic set in. The false information planted by Rothschild had a profound impact on investor sentiment. Panic spread like wildfire, causing a massive sell-off of shares as investors rushed to protect their investments. This onslaught of selling led to a dramatic decline in share prices across the board, wiping out significant wealth and shaking investor confidence to its core.
While chaos consumed the stock market, Rothschild saw an opportunity amidst the turmoil. With share prices plummeting due to the panic he had instigated, Rothschild strategically acquired undervalued shares, capitalizing on the widespread fear and desperation of other investors. This allowed him to amass a considerable amount of shares at bargain prices, positioning himself to profit immensely once the truth was revealed.
As the dust settled and rationality began to prevail, investigators started to question the authenticity of the news that had caused such chaos. Through meticulous examination and cross-referencing of sources, it became clear that Rothschild had been the mastermind behind the spread of false information. His cunning scheme to manipulate the stock market for personal gain was finally brought to light.
The revelation of Rothschild’s deceit provoked a mix of astonishment, anger, and begrudging admiration for his audacity. The public was outraged by his manipulation, as it exposed the vulnerabilities inherent in financial markets. While Rothschild’s reputation suffered a blow in some circles, there were those who saw his actions as a testament to his shrewdness and ability to exploit the system.
This gave the Rothschild family complete control of the British economy, and forced England to set up a new Bank of England, which Nathan Rothschild controlled. However, that wasn’t the only angle he used to profit from the Battle of Waterloo. Meyer Rothschild sent some of Prince William’s money to his son Nathan in London, and according to the Jewish Encyclopedia:
“Nathan invested it in 800,000 pounds of gold from the East India Company, knowing it would be needed for Wellington’s peninsula campaign. He made no less than four profits: (1) on the sale of Wellington’s paper (which he bought at 50¢ on the dollar); (2) on the sale of gold to Wellington; (3) on its repurchase; and (4) on forwarding it to Portugal. This was the beginning of the great fortune.”
After Napoleon’s defeat, Prince William returned to resume his rule. Buderus was made a Baron, and the Rothschilds were the richest bankers in Europe. Meyer Rothschild had established banks in England, France, and Germany. His sons, who were made Barons of the Austrian Empire, were set up to continue and expand his banking empire for centuries to come.
- Amschel Meyer Rothschild (1773-1855)
- Was the head of the bank in Frankfurt, Germany, which was known as M. A. Rothschild and Sons. It closed in 1901, after the deaths of Meyer Karl and his brother Wilhelm Karl, the sons of Karl Meyer Rothschild. In 1838, he said: “Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws”.
- Salomon Rothschild (1774-1855)
- Was the head of the bank in Vienna, Austria, known as S. M. Rothschild and Sons. It was closed during World War II after the Nazi occupation).
- Nathan Meyer Rothschild (1777-1836)
- Was the head of the bank in London, England, which [is] known as N.M. Rothschild and Sons. It has occupied the same premises since 1809, at 2 New Court, St. Swithin’s Lane in London, near the Bank of England and Stock Exchange. He once said: “I care not what puppet is placed upon the throne of England to rule the Empire on which the sun never sets. The man who controls Britain’s money supply controls the British Empire, and I control the British money supply.”
- Karl Rothschild (1788-1868)
- Was the head of the bank in Naples, Italy. It closed in 1861.
- James Rothschild (1792-1868)
- Was the head of the bank in Paris, France, which was known as Messieurs de Rothschild Freres. It’s name was changed to La Banque Rothschild in 1967.
This was the beginning of the House of Rothschild, which controlled a fortune estimated to be well over $300,000,000. Soon the Rothschilds spanned Europe with railroads, invested in coal and ironworks, financed England’s purchase of the Suez Canal, paid for oil exploration in Russia and the Sahara Desert, financed the czars of Russia, supported Cecil Rhodes diamond operations, aided France in creating an empire in Africa, financed the Hapsburg monarchs, and saved the Vatican from bankruptcy.
In the U.S., through their American and European agents, they helped finance Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, Carnegie Steel, and Harriman’s Railroad. Werner Sombart, in his book The Jews and Modern Capitalism, said that from 1820 on, it was the “age of the Rothschild” and concluded that there was “only one power in Europe, and that is Rothschild.” In 1913, the family fortune was estimated to be over two billion dollars.
After Meyer Rothschild died on September 19, 1812, his will spelled out specific guidelines that were to be maintained by his descendants:
1) All important posts were to be held by only family members, and only male members were to be involved on the business end. The oldest son of the oldest son was to be the head of the family, unless otherwise agreed upon by the rest of the family, as was the case in 1812, when Nathan was appointed as the patriarch.2) The family was to intermarry with their own first and second cousins, so their fortune could be kept in the family, and to maintain the appearance of a united financial empire. For example, his son James (Jacob) Meyer married the daughter of another son, Salomon Meyer. This rule became less important in later generations as they refocused family goals and married into other fortunes.
3) Rothschild ordered that there was never to be “any public inventory made by the courts, or otherwise, of my estate … Also I forbid any legal action and any publication of the value of the inheritance.”
American and British Intelligence have documented evidence that the House of Rothschild, and other International Bankers, have financed both sides of every war, since the American Revolution. Financier Haym Salomon, who supported the patriots during the American Revolution then later made loans to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, was a Rothschild agent. As explained earlier, during the Napoleonic Wars, one branch of the family funded Napoleon, while another financed Great Britain, Germany, and other nations. Their boldest maneuver came prior to the Civil War.
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