The Collections ‹ Rothschild FAQs :: The Rothschild Archive TheRothschildArchive Menu Search the site: TheArchiveAbout UsThe Rothschild Archive TrustOur PoliciesRothschild Research ForumAnnual ReviewProjectsNewsSelect BibliographyArchive Research BursaryUseful LinksTerms and ConditionsData Privacy NoticeTheCollectionsCustodial history of the CollectionsBusiness Papers (held in London)Business Papers (held in France)Family PapersRothschild estatesEmployee recordsProvenance researchSources for Jewish studiesPhotograph CollectionsRothschild FAQsArchivist's ChoiceTreasure of the MonthCollections ElsewhereRecent AcquisitionsTheFamilyRothschild Name & ArmsRothschild GenealogyFamily biographiesFamily estatesFamily bibliographyFamily interestsFamily collectionsPhilanthropyTheBusinessOrigins of the businessA family partnershipM A Rothschild and M A Rothschild & Söhne, FrankfurtN M Rothschild & Sons, Londonde Rothschild Frères, ParisS M von Rothschild, ViennaC M de Rothschild & Figli, NaplesRothschilds who directed the businessBusiness premisesBusiness employeesBusiness activitiesPrivate clientsThe Royal Mint RefineryThe Alliance Assurance CompanyRothschild worldwideWine businesses'Rothschild' tea and coffeeExhibitionsRothschild TimelineRothschild Autochromes'If you see Sid...Tell him!'Faith & CharityRothschild GardensRothschilds and the First World WarFrom Bank to WestminsterMotoring RothschildsHorse Racing RothschildsRothschilds and BrazilThe Art of Natural HistoryRothschilds in CaricatureSeason's GreetingsCelebrating our Jewish collectionsContactUsEnquiriesVisiting Us Welcome toThe Rothschild Archive'swebsite Sources for business history: plans of New Court Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901 Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905 Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910 Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920 Sources for business history: index cards to bank files Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909 Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900 Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893 Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858 Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904 Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899 Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927 Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965 Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930 Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s TheCollections Custodial history of the CollectionsBusiness Papers (held in London)Business Papers (held in France)Family PapersRothschild estatesEmployee recordsProvenance researchSources for Jewish studiesPhotograph CollectionsRothschild FAQsOrigins of the Rothschild family businessThe Rothschild Family TreeRed Shield and Green ShieldRothschild, de Rothschild, von RothschildFive ArrowsNathan Mayer Rothschild and 'Waterloo'Rothschilds and pigeon postOld Rothschild BondsRothschild and goldLionel de Rothschild and the Suez CanalRothschild art and object collectionsRothschild gardensWalter Rothschild and the Balfour DeclarationRothschilds in politicsBaron Edmond de Rothschild & PalestineRothschild and WineRothschilds and the natural worldRothschilds and horseracingA history of New CourtRothschild philanthropyArchivist's ChoiceTreasure of the MonthCollections ElsewhereRecent Acquisitions Walter Rothschild and the Balfour Declaration Lionel Walter Rothschild was the 'Lord Rothschild' to whom Balfour addressed his 1917 proposal regarding the establishment of a Jewish state. On November 2, 1917, the British Government expressed its sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations and announced that it would use its “best endeavours” to facilitate “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”. The announcement came in a letter from Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lionel Walter, 2nd Lord Rothschild (1868-1937), the unofficial leader of the British Jewish community. The Balfour agreement became the diplomatic foundation stone of the state of Israel. The origins of the letter had begun in the early twentieth century, when Chaim Weizmann, the leading spokesman for Zionism in Britain began to solicit support among the British people, shortly after he settled in Manchester in 1904. Origins in The First World War Beginning in 1916, the British hoped that in exchange for their support of Zionism, “the Jews” would help to finance the growing expenses of the First World War, which was becoming increasingly burdensome. More importantly, policy-makers in the Foreign Office believed that Jews could be prevailed upon to persuade the United States to join the War. At this time, there were very strong pro-Zionist feelings by many of the political elite and establishment. Many of Britain’s leaders, including Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and Balfour himself, felt for the Jews and their history. These men were deeply religious Christian Zionists. They had grown up on the Bible; the Holy Land was their spiritual home. They believed that modern Zionism would fulfil a divine promise, and re-settle the Jews in the land of their ancient fathers. The text of the letter The Balfour Declaration used deliberately vague language. The term “national home” was chosen in order to minimize the Zionist dream, to make Palestine a Jewish state. The Arabs, whose “civil and religious” (not national and political) rights were not to be prejudiced as the declaration put it, were referred to only as “existing non-Jewish communities”. The Balfour Declaration was ultimately unsuccessful and many commentators place it among similar fruitless schemes. Surprisingly, the British by and large kept their word, and for at least two decades until the outbreak of the Second World War they allowed the Zionist movement to bring hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants into Palestine. These new arrivals set up hundreds of settlements, including several towns as well as the political, economic, military and cultural infrastructure of the future state of Israel. The Balfour Declaration was the opening chapter in a still unfinished story. The original letter was presented to The British Library in 1924 by Lionel Walter, 2nd Lord Rothschild. Foreign Office,November 2nd, 1917. Dear Lord Rothschild, I have much pleasure in conveying to you, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to, and approved by, the Cabinet: "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country". I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation. Yours sincerely Arthur James Balfour Lionel Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild (1868-1937) Terms & Conditions Data Privacy Notice Contact the Archive Research Forum © 2009-23 The Rothschild Archive Website designed and developed by CBJ Digital Ltd. 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March 2004Review of the Year: April 2002 - March 2003Review of the Year: April 2001 - March 2002Review of the year: April 2000 - March 2001Review of the Year: April 1999 - March 2000ProjectsBullionRothschild Bonds'My Dear Cousins': writing the new centuryRothschild CollectionsRothschild BusinessThe 'Nathaniel 100' Transcription ProjectThe Rothschild GenealogyRothschild BiographiesRothschild EstatesGuide to the Collections of The Rothschild ArchiveRothschilds and ScienceRothschild and PhilanthropyRothschild and BrazilJudendeutsch LettersRothschild in CaricatureRothschild BibliographyThe Rothschild Research ForumNewsArchivist’s Choice: Nathaniel von Rothschild and the First Vienna Football Club, 1894Archivist’s Choice: 200 years of Rothschild business with Portugal and the ‘Wedding Cake’ at Waddesdon ManorArchivist’s Choice: The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla: the Royal Family, Rothschild gifts and FabergéEABH Conference: Monetary Unions in History, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 July 2022: Call for PapersArchivist’s Choice: Banker and philanthropist: A portrait of Anthony de RothschildArchivist’s Choice: exhibition 'Collectionneuses Rothschild: Mécènes et donatrices d'exception', La Boverie museum, LiègeTreasure of the Month for July 2022EABH Conference: Monetary Unions in History, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 July 2022: Registration openTreasure of the Month for June 2022Treasure of the Month for May 2022Treasure of the Month for April 2022Treasure of the Month for March 2022Treasure of the Month for February 2022Treasure of the Month for January 2022Treasure of the Month for December 2021Treasure of the Month for November 2021Treasure of the Month for October 2021Treasure of the Month for September 2021EABH Workshop: Digital rebirth of historical datasets, Sofia, Bulgaria, 30 June 2022: Call for PapersEABH Conference: The Development of Financial Markets, St Petersburg, 20 June 2019: Call for PapersTreasure of the Month for August 2021Treasure of the Month for July 2021Treasure of the Month for June 2021Treasure of the Month for May 2021Treasure of the Month for April 2021Treasure of the Month for March 2021Treasure of the Month for February 2021Treasure of the Month for January 2021Treasure of the Month for December 2020EABH working papers series: latest publication: eabh paper 2020/04Archivist’s Choice: Archivist’s Choice: Living for art – Charlotte de Rothschild and the Trachel and Rothschild collections in NiceEABH working papers series: latest publication: eabh paper 2020/03EABH working papers series: latest publication: eabh paper 2020/02Treasure of the Month for November 2020Treasure of the Month for October 2020Treasure of the Month for August 2020EABH working papers series: opportunity for new scholarsEABH Conference, 11 June 2020, Athens, GreeceEABH Workshop: Banking & the State, 23 February 2021, FrankfurtTreasure of the Month for July 2020Treasure of the Month for June 2020EABH Workshop: Banking & the State, 23 February 2021, Frankfurt - Final call for papersTreasure of the Month for May 2020EABH Workshop: Price Currents, Financial information and Market Transparency, 27 November 2020, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsTreasure of the Month for April 2020Treasure of the Month for March 2020Treasure of the Month for February 2020EABH Workshop: The Dynamics of Inclusive Finance, 20-21 March 2020: Call for PapersTreasure of the Month for January 2020EABH Conference, 26 October 2018, London, United KingdomTreasure of the Month for December 2019Treasure of the Month for September 2020Treasure of the Month for October 2019EABH Archival Workshop: Minting History, The Rothschild Archive London, 29 October 2019Bonds OnlineTreasure of the Month for September 2019Treasure of the Month for August 2019EABH Archival Workshop: Minting History, St Petersburg, 21 June 2019: Call for PapersTreasure of the Month for July 2019Treasure of the Month for June 2019Treasure of the Month for May 2019EABH Archival Workshop: GDPR and Historical Archives, European Central Bank, 23 March 2020Treasure of the Month for April 2019Treasure of the Month for March 2019Treasure of the Month for February 2019EABH Conference: Financing Reconstruction: how can historical insight help? Call for papersEABH working papers series: latest publication: eabh paper 2020/05Treasure of the Month for January 2019Treasure of the Month for December 2018Treasure of the Month for November 2018Treasure of the Month for October 2018Treasure of the Month for September 2018Treasure of the Month for August 2018Treasure of the Month for November 2019Treasure of the Month for July 2018EABH Workshop, 10 November 2017, Zagreb, CroatiaTreasure of the Month for June 2018Treasure of the Month for May 2018Treasure of the Month for April 2018Treasure of the Month for March 2018Treasure of the Month for February 2018EABH Annual Meeting 2018: The Social Aims of FinanceTreasure of the Month for January 2018Treasure of the Month for December 2017Treasure of the Month for November 2017EABH Annual Meeting 2017: The Legacy of FinanceTreasure of the Month for October 2017Economic History Conference celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Bank of GreeceTreasure of the Month for September 2017Treasure of the Month for August 2017EABH Conference: Money in Africa, Monetary and financial decolonisation in Africa, Lisbon, 9-10 October 2017EABH Research Associate Opportunity, Oxford UniversityFunding increased for Archive Research BursariesEABH Lunch Hour lecture, 'Populism and Financial Markets', Frankfurt am Main, 25 April 2017Reminder: Closure of the Archives Nationales du Monde du Travail, Roubaix, July 2017Treasure of the Month for May 2017Treasure of the Month for July 2017New Digital Archive of Rothschild bonds and prospectusesTreasure of the Month for June 2017Treasure of the Month for March 2017Treasure of the Month for February 2017Business Archives Council Bursary for business history researchEABH announces New Scholars Fast-Track Workshop: 13 June 2018, TorinoThe EABH publishes the latest contribution to its Working Papers SeriesClosure of the Archives Nationales du Monde du Travail, Roubaix, July 2017New Gallery: The Rothschild autochromesNew Gallery: Birthday testimonials of the first Lord Rothschild*NEW* Bullion microsite: a research resource for the study of Rothschild and goldTreasure of the Month for January 2017Treasure of the Month for December 2016Treasure of the Month for November 2016Launch of new microsite 'Rothschild Collections'Treasure of the Month for October 2016EABH Summer School 2016: Transparency & information management in financial institutionsTreasure of the Month for September 2016EABH Lunch Hour lecture, The rate of return on everything, Frankfurt am Main, 4 November 2016Treasure of the Month for August 2016EABH Conference: Innovative Solutions for Archives and Financial Crises, St Louis, 11-12 May 2017: Call for PapersTreasure of the Month for April 2017Treasure of the Month for June 2016EABH Annual Meeting 2016: '500 Years of Financial Interconnections. Did globalisation increase or decrease financial instability?', Vienna, Austria, 28-29 AprilTreasure of the Month for May 2016Treasure of the Month for April 2016Treasure of the Month for March 2016Recent Acquisitions: Expedition photographs of George Forrest, ChinaEABH Meeting: 'Origins of Banking Globalisation: The Experience of Spain and Latin America'Treasure of the Month for July 2016Treasure of the Month for February 2016Funding increased for Archive Research BursariesLaunch of new microsite 'My Dear Cousins'Treasure of the Month for January 2016Treasure of the Month for November 2015Treasure of the Month for October 2015Treasure of the Month for September 2015Treasure of the Month for August 2015EABH Oral History Project, Florence, Italy 28 Jan 2016Launch of new microsite 'Rothschild Business'EABH Annual Meeting 2015: 'History of Inflation. Inflation in History', Prague, 14-15 MayEABH Annual Meeting: ViennaRecent Acquisitions: Stamps, punches and dies from The Royal Mint RefineryRecent Acquisitions: Yacht gavel from TSY AtmahTreasure of the Month for July 2015Treasure of the Month for June 2015Treasure of the Month for May 2015A Rothschild Renaissance: Treasures from the Waddesdon BequestRefurbished Rothschild Room, the Natural History Museum at TringTreasure of the Month for December 2015Recent Acquisitions: 'Luthmer' CataloguesTreasure of the Month for March 2015Recent Acquisitions: Estate ledgers and account books account books from the Château de FerrièresRestoring a Legacy: Rothschild Family Treasures: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts: March-June 2015EABH Annual Meeting 2016: '500 Years of Financial Interconnections. Did globalisation increase or decrease financial instability?', Vienna, Austria, 28-29 AprilJewish Nursing HistoryEABH Conference 2015: 'Historical links betwen USA and Spain', Madrid, 9-11 AprilTreasure of the Month for April 2015The Royal Mint revives The Royal Mint Refinery brandImages of the Frankfurt JudengasseTreasure of the Month for January 2015Treasure of the Month for December 2014Release of Bank of England Court MinutesWaterloo 200PhD studentship in Financial History: University of GlasgowTreasure of the Month for November 2014Recent Acquisitions: A Rothschild PortraitTreasure of the Month for October 2014Treasure of the Month for February 2015Yerusha: Archives in EuropeRecent Acquisitions: The Rothschild Reserves ArchiveRecent Acquisitions: 'the book that started it all'Treasure of the Month for August 2014Recent Acquisitions: Papers concerning orchid cultivationRecent Acquisitions: Mr Warren's Photograph AlbumTreasure of the Month for September 2014Treasure of the Month for July 2014Treasure of the Month for June 2014Recent Acquisitions: Quill pensTreasure of the Month for May 2014Select BibliographyArchive Research BursaryUseful LinksThe American Museum of Natural HistoryArchives nationales du monde du travail (ANMT)Arolsen ArchivesBank for International SettlementsBanking history in Latin America and SpainBalfour 100Bank of England ArchiveBarclays Group ArchivesThe Baring ArchiveThe Batsheva ArchiveBrady Street cemetery, London: Rothschild gravesThe British Library Department of ManuscriptsThe British Museum: The Waddesdon BequestBuda Pesth Chain Bridge Archive RecordsThe Butrint FoundationThe Business Archives CouncilCentral Zionist ArchivesChâteau Mouton Rothschild: wine labelsCultural plunder: database of art objects at the Jeu de Paume (ERR database)The Ephrussi family archiveThe Eranda Rothschild FoundationThe European Association for Banking and Financial History e.V.Exbury GardensFondation de RothschildGoethe University Frankfurt: Rothschild Library FrankfurtGunnersbury Park MuseumHalton HouseHanne Wassermann ArchiveThe Hartley Library, University of SouthamptonHidden Treasures: Celebrating Jewish Archives in BritainHistoric England ArchiveIndustrial Dwellings SocietyInstitut national d'histoire de l'artJacqueline PiatigorskyJewish Country HousesThe Jewish Museum, FrankfurtJewish Nursing Hi… truncated (24,707 more characters in archive)