I beg to differ...
In 1815, the combined forces of Britain and Prussia defeated Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Waterloo. It was, said the Duke of Wellington, a damn close run thing. But even before the dust had settled on the battlefield, a carrier pigeon belonging to the House of Rothschild was on its way across the Channel to London. Nathan Rothschild, informed ahead of other traders that the country was not to be over-run by the French, consequently made a killing by buying British government bonds.
Little of this legend is true but there are elements that are accurate. There was a battle at Waterloo, which ended Napoleon’s career. Wellington did not say it was a damn close run thing but there is evidence he thought so. The Rothschilds used carrier pigeons but that was not how they learnt the battle’s outcome. Rothschild did have early knowledge of the outcome, and may have used it to advantage, but that knowledge was not the source of the house of Rothschild’s fabled wealth. It did, however, earn a great deal, helping governments of all complexions to fund the Napoleonic wars.
https://www.ft.com/content/255b75e0-c77d-11e2-be27-00144feab7de
Who funded the Napoleonic War?
The first was son James Mayer de Rothschild (1792–1868), known as "James", who established de Rothschild Frères in Paris. Following the Napoleonic Wars, he played a major role in financing the construction of railways and the mining business that helped make France an industrial power.
Financing wars
From their five European bases, the Rothschilds were able to finance significant parts of the Napoleonic war. A risk, taken by Nathan in 1811, of sending money to the Duke of Wellington in Spain gained the trust of John Charles Herries, the British official responsible for financing Wellington’s efforts. Although sending large shipments of gold into war-torn regions was risky, Nathan was able to ship the gold because of his prior knowledge of smuggling routes and the family’s unsurpassed communication links. The respect earned from Herries resulted in other government accounts being directed towards the Rothschilds.
Between 1813 and 1815, Nathan almost single-handedly financed the British war efforts; and over a 12 month period he provided the British government with nearly £10m (approximately £6.5bn today). Meanwhile, however, his four brothers financed the French war effort – N M Rothschild & Sons were receiving interest from both sides of the Napoleonic war.
Napoleon’s defeat in June 1815 did not result in the culmination of international financial services provided by Nathan and his brothers – in fact, quite the reverse. Indemnities and debts created by the war needed to be settled. Fiscal cutbacks and monetary stabilisation in Britain required new investment and, for those who became accustomed to high-yielding bonds during war years, it remained an attractive prospect.
https://treasurytoday.com/2015/05/nathan-rothschild-the-mastermind-behind-the-dynasty-ttbig
In 1815, the combined forces of Britain and Prussia defeated Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Waterloo. It was, said the Duke of Wellington, a damn close run thing. But even before the dust had settled on the battlefield, a carrier pigeon belonging to the House of Rothschild was on its way across the Channel to London. Nathan Rothschild, informed ahead of other traders that the country was not to be over-run by the French, consequently made a killing by buying British government bonds.
Little of this legend is true but there are elements that are accurate. There was a battle at Waterloo, which ended Napoleon’s career. Wellington did not say it was a damn close run thing but there is evidence he thought so. The Rothschilds used carrier pigeons but that was not how they learnt the battle’s outcome. Rothschild did have early knowledge of the outcome, and may have used it to advantage, but that knowledge was not the source of the house of Rothschild’s fabled wealth. It did, however, earn a great deal, helping governments of all complexions to fund the Napoleonic wars.
https://www.ft.com/content/255b75e0-c77d-11e2-be27-00144feab7de
That is not true. They only invested in the side of the British crown. They made a ton of money off of makingbthe right bet.
In world war 2 their assets were all seized by the Nazis. The family hasn’t really been unified since. It’s just old Nazi conspiracies.
Who funded the Napoleonic War?
The first was son James Mayer de Rothschild (1792–1868), known as "James", who established de Rothschild Frères in Paris. Following the Napoleonic Wars, he played a major role in financing the construction of railways and the mining business that helped make France an industrial power.
Financing wars
From their five European bases, the Rothschilds were able to finance significant parts of the Napoleonic war. A risk, taken by Nathan in 1811, of sending money to the Duke of Wellington in Spain gained the trust of John Charles Herries, the British official responsible for financing Wellington’s efforts. Although sending large shipments of gold into war-torn regions was risky, Nathan was able to ship the gold because of his prior knowledge of smuggling routes and the family’s unsurpassed communication links. The respect earned from Herries resulted in other government accounts being directed towards the Rothschilds.
Between 1813 and 1815, Nathan almost single-handedly financed the British war efforts; and over a 12 month period he provided the British government with nearly £10m (approximately £6.5bn today). Meanwhile, however, his four brothers financed the French war effort – N M Rothschild & Sons were receiving interest from both sides of the Napoleonic war.
Napoleon’s defeat in June 1815 did not result in the culmination of international financial services provided by Nathan and his brothers – in fact, quite the reverse. Indemnities and debts created by the war needed to be settled. Fiscal cutbacks and monetary stabilisation in Britain required new investment and, for those who became accustomed to high-yielding bonds during war years, it remained an attractive prospect.
https://treasurytoday.com/2015/05/nathan-rothschild-the-mastermind-behind-the-dynasty-ttbig