Mayer Amschel Rothschild
Mayer’s family name derived from the red (rot) shield on the house in the ghetto in which his ancestors had once lived. Intended for the rabbinate, Mayer studied briefly, but his parents’ early death forced him into an apprenticeship in a banking house. Soon after becoming court factor to William IX, landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, Mayer set the pattern that his family was to follow so successfully—to do business with reigning houses by preference and to father as many sons as possible who could take care of the family’s many business affairs abroad.

Rothschild, Mayer Amschel
Rothschild, Mayer Amschel
Mayer Amschel Rothschild.
ART Collection/Alamy
Mayer’s Five Sons
Starting as dealers in luxury items and traders in coins and commercial papers, Mayer and his sons eventually became bankers to whom the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars of 1792–1815 came as a piece of great good fortune. Mayer and his eldest son, Amschel, supervised the growing business from Frankfurt, while Nathan established a branch in London in 1804, Jakob settled in Paris in 1811, and Salomon and Karl opened offices in Vienna and Naples, respectively, in the 1820s. The wars, for the Rothschilds, meant loans to warring princes; smuggling as well as legal trading in key products such as wheat, cotton, colonial produce, and arms; and the transfer of international payments between the British Isles and the Continent that Napoleon vainly attempted to close to British trade. Peace transformed the growing Rothschild business: the banking group continued its international business dealings but became more and more an agent in government securities (Prussian or English, French or Neapolitan), in insurance-company stocks, and in shares of industrial companies. Thus, the family successfully adapted to the Industrial Revolution and participated in economic growth throughout Europe with their railway, coal, ironworking, and metallurgical investments. The banking group continued to expand after the 1850s and, in particular, achieved an important position in the world trade of oil and nonferrous metals. But its previous oligopolistic position was seriously threatened by new joint-stock banks and commercial, or deposit, banks both in England and in France as well as in the German states. By the last quarter of the 19th century, the Rothschild group was no longer the first banking consortium. Other groups, in Europe and in the United States, had become stronger, richer, and more enterprising.

Yet, the two guidelines laid down by Mayer Amschel for the Rothschild business operations (which, indeed, became a family tradition)—to conduct all transactions jointly and never to aim for excessive profits—helped to compensate to a notable extent for the inevitable risks inherent in handing down a business to future generations not all of whose members are qualified to run it. Amschel, Nathan, Jakob, Salomon, and Karl—the founders of the Rothschild consortium—were themselves unequally endowed: Nathan and Jakob stood out among their brothers by the force of their personalities—particularly Nathan, who was hard, deliberately boorish, and sarcastic. Jakob, who was his brother’s equal in all these things, possessed an alleviating air of some refinement as a result of living in the more-polished atmosphere of Paris. The five founders in turn had unequal successors. For example, if Alphonse in Paris (1827–1905) was a worthy successor to his father, Jakob, his own son, Édouard (1868–1949), was not as strong a figure as his position required. But Édouard’s son (Guy [1909–2007]) and his cousins (Alain [1910–82] and Elie [1917–2007]) showed exceptional adaptability and ambition, thus confirming the constant element in the group’s history for a century and a half: a remarkable capacity for seizing opportunities and for adapting in business as well as in politics. Successive generations of the Rothschild family have been similarly active in international finance and politics.

The Second Generation
In separating the circumstantial from the personal and individual aspects of the dynasty’s hegemony during the 19th century, one must note that, although the first group of Rothschilds arrived as strangers in their new countries, unfamiliar with the languages and the customs and subject to the jealousy and competition of local bankers, they stood out from those around them by their fierce will to acquire a place in the sun. By the second generation, when the sons of the five founding brothers (notable among them were Anthony and Lionel Nathan in London and Alphonse and Gustave in Paris) entered the business, the Rothschilds were polished and refined, as well as naturalized and nationalized to the point of blending into leadership positions without losing any of their family attributes. It is possible that the young Rothschilds’ education and the extremely worldly existence of the heads of the various houses helped to create this true mutation. On the other hand, the Rothschilds were influencing the national economy and politics of their countries as greatly as they were being influenced themselves. Alphonse, for example, as the head of the international banking syndicate that in 1871 and 1872 placed the two great French loans known as liberation loans after France’s defeat by Prussia, could boast without immodesty that his influence had maintained the chief of the French government, Adolphe Thiers, in power. At the same time, in 1875, Lionel, in London (where he had been a member of the House of Commons since 1858), was able to give on a few hours notice the £4 million that allowed the British government to become the principal stockholder in the Suez Canal Company. Obviously, the two cousins had become important citizens in their respective countries.

Lionel Nathan de Rothschild.
Lionel Nathan de Rothschild.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
There were frequent marriages between Rothschild cousins, and marriages generally were—with very rare exceptions—with Jews. In spite of the number of their descendants and the complexity of their family tree, the Rothschilds, particularly those of Vienna and Paris during the Nazi period, preserved the kind of family unity necessary to weather great misfortunes.

The Rothschilds were much honoured. Mayer’s five sons were made barons of the Austrian Empire, a Rothschild was the first Jew to enter the British Parliament, and another was the first to be elevated to the British peerage. The head of the British branch of the family has always been considered the unofficial head of British Jewry. Members of the British and French families—the only ones still engaged in banking after the seizure by the Nazis of the Austrian house—distinguished themselves as scientists and often as philanthropists. Baron Philippe de Rothschild (1902–88) became a premier winemaker, of the vineyard Mouton-Rothschild. In 2003–08 the British and French houses were merged, marking the reunification of the Rothschild family business for the first time in nearly two centuries

John D. Rockefeller, in full John Davison Rockefeller, (born July 8, 1839, Richford, New York, U.S.—died May 23, 1937, Ormond Beach, Florida), American industrialist and philanthropist, founder of the Standard Oil Company, which dominated the oil industry and was the first great U.S. business trust.

TOP QUESTIONS
How did John D. Rockefeller get famous?
What were John D. Rockefeller’s accomplishments?
What was John D. Rockefeller remembered for?
Rockefeller was the eldest son and second of six children born to traveling physician and snake-oil salesman William (“Big Bill”) Avery Rockefeller and Eliza Davidson. He moved with his family to Moravia, New York, and, in 1851, to Oswego, New York, where he attended Oswego Academy. The family relocated to Strongsville, a town near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853, and six years later—after attending and later dropping out of Cleveland’s Central High School, taking a single business class at Folsom Mercantile College, and working as a bookkeeper—Rockefeller established his first enterprise, a commission business dealing in hay, grain, meats, and other goods. Sensing the commercial potential of the expanding oil production in western Pennsylvania in the early 1860s, he built his first oil refinery, near Cleveland, in 1863. Within two years it was the largest refinery in the area, and thereafter Rockefeller devoted himself exclusively to the oil business.

Astor, John Jacob
READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC
robber baron: John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller made his immense riches from monopolizing America’s oil industry. Conspiring with refinery owners,…
In 1870 Rockefeller and a few associates, a group that included American financier Henry M. Flagler, incorporated the Standard Oil Company (Ohio). Because of Rockefeller’s emphasis on economical operations, Standard prospered and began to buy out its competitors until, by 1872, it controlled nearly all the refineries in Cleveland. That fact enabled the company to negotiate with railroads for favoured rates on its shipments of oil. It acquired pipelines and terminal facilities, purchased competing refineries in other cities, and vigorously sought to expand its markets in the United States and abroad. In 1881 Rockefeller and his associates placed the stock of Standard of Ohio and its affiliates in other states under the control of a board of nine trustees, with Rockefeller at the head. They thus established the first major U.S. “trust” and set a pattern of organization for other monopolies. By 1882 Standard Oil had a near monopoly on the oil business in the United States.

first oil pipeline
first oil pipeline
Overview of the first oil pipeline (1879), which attempted to compete with Standard Oil Company and Trust.
Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz
The aggressive competitive practices of Standard Oil, which many regarded as ruthless, and the growing public hostility toward monopolies, of which Standard was the best-known, caused some industrialized states to enact antimonopoly laws and led to the passage by the U.S. Congress of the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890 (see also antitrust law). In 1892 the Ohio Supreme Court held that the Standard Oil Trust was a monopoly in violation of an Ohio law prohibiting monopolies. Rockefeller evaded the decision by dissolving the trust and transferring its properties to companies in other states, with interlocking directorates so that the same nine men controlled the operations of the affiliated companies. In 1899 these companies were brought back together in a holding company, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), which existed until 1911, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared it in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and therefore illegal. Standard Oil’s questionable ethics were also taken to task by American journalist Ida Tarbell in her 19-part exposé and commentary called The History of the Standard Oil Company, which was released in installments by McClure’s Magazine between 1902 and 1904.

A devout Baptist, Rockefeller turned his attention increasingly during the 1890s to charities and benevolence; after 1897 he devoted himself completely to philanthropy. He made possible the founding of the University of Chicago in 1892, and by the time of his death he had given it some $35 million. In association with his son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., he created major philanthropic institutions, including the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (renamed Rockefeller University) in New York City (1901), the General Education Board (1902), and the Rockefeller Foundation (1913). Rockefeller’s benefactions during his lifetime totaled more than $500 million.

THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF SIR LOUIS OJUKWU

A lot of people may not know who Sir Louis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu is besides the fact that he was the father of late Biafran Warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. But the fact is that he was one of the greatest Business men ever produced in Africa and one of the richest. It beggars belief that Sir Ojukwu went to Lagos with nothing in 1929 aged just 20 but 10 years later aged just 30, he was already managing his own chain of businesses which included, Ojukwu Stores, Ojukwu textiles and Ojukwu transportation company. By 1950, just Ojukwu Transportation company had over 200 trucks in its fleet. How did he do it?

Born Louis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu in Nnewi in 1909, the only boy and second of four children,Sir Ojukwu went to Government primary School Asaba. In 1922, he proceeded to the only secondary School in the Eastern region at the time, Hope Waddell training institute, Calabar. After completing his secondary School education in 1928.

Sir Louis secured a job as a tyre sales clark with John Holt Lagos in 1929. It was working as a tyre clark the Sir Louis Ojukwu noticed that many Igbo traders who came to Lagos to buy tyres also bought textiles as well. With his meagre saving, Sir Louis travelled down to Onitsha where he opened his first business venture called "Ojukwu stores" and employed one of his relatives to oversee it. He then returned to Lagos and started sending down textiles on Lorries to his shop while still working for John Holt. Sir Louise's textile boomed.

By 1930, Louis bought a second hand truck and employed a driver in other move his goods himself and 'Ojukwu transport company' was born. Sir Ojukwu worked tirelessly and by end of the 1930's, was the major transporter on the East-West Road. In 1939, on the outbreak of world war 2, the British Government requested the use of Sir Ojukwus fleet of trucks for the War effort to which he agreed.

When the war ended in 1945, the British Goverment recognised the sacrifice he made and he was awarded a KBE (Knight of the British Empire). The end of the war also created a high demand for raw materials from West Africa and sir Ojukwus Transport business exploded sky high and he diversified into other businesses.

Some of Sir Ojukwu's early drivers such as Chief Ilodibe (Ekene Dili Chukwu) and Chief Izuchukwu (Izuchukwu Transport) would later become Transport moguls themselves.

Sir Ojukwu was so rich that in 1956 when the Queen visited Nigeria, the British authorities had to borrow his Rolls Royce and personal driver to chauffeur the Queen around. Sir Louis was also a financial pillar of Ziks NCNC party and when the party came to power in 1960, Sir Louis was offered the position of Finance Minister which he turned down, the position ultimately went to Okotie-Eboh. Sir Louis died in Nkalagu, present day Ebonyi state, in 1966. Sir Louis CV is the most intimidating I have ever seen and probably will ever see. He was:

1)The first President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange
2) President, African Continental Bank
3) Chairman, Nigerian cement company (NIGERCEM)
4) CEO, Ojukwu Transport company...over 5000 fleet of trucks
5) Chairman, Nigerian National Shipping Line...over 100 ships and vessels
6) Chairman, Lion Of Africa Insurance Company
7) Chairman, BISCO Nigeria Limited
cool Chairman, Nigerian Industrial Development Bank...founded to specifically give loans to industries
9) Vice President, Lagos Chamber Of Commerce
10) Chairman, Palmline Shipping company
11) Chairman, Nigerian Produce Marketing board
12) Chairman, Eastern Nigerian Development Corporation
13) Chairman, Costain west Africa
14) Director, Shell D'Arcy Petroleum
15) Director, Thomas Wyatt & Son
16) Director, Nigerian Coal corporation
17) Director, Guiness Nigeria Limited
18) Director, Nigerian Tobacco Company
19) Director, Daily Times of Nigeria

The man was simply larger than life. Sir Louis also owned numerous building, landed properties and stocks. It is estimated that as at the time he died in 1966, he was worth about 40 Billion Dollars in today's money.

55 and up is when most rich men are consolidating their wealth. That's when Ojukwu's father was retiring. Had he lived up to just 70s, he would have achieved the unthinkable. My grandfather told us about him as far back as 80s. He was so powerful that Lagos state pleaded with him to accept to be vice president of chambers of commerce. His influence both national and international commanded respect.

When men were MEN.

Ojukwu used his father's money to fight the civil war. On his eve of victory, he declined the French offer,,,

Only him and his chi knew why he took such decision

9jaBloke:
When men were MEN.

...aboby where were you,,

..."I was in the toilet with bambam, applying the case of.."

40 billion hmmm and his son used up his wealth to fight a war.

Money is good

Africa=mansa musa of mali

The richest man that has ever existed was mansa musa and he was African.

Aptly written piece! Thank you, OP.

These were men who built their wealth with their sweat, not all these criminals today cum politicians who own everything because they stole the masses blind. I wonder how they sleep at night.

Undeniably, these men are rich

BlacSmit:
Ojukwu used his father's money to fight the civil war. On his eve of victory, he declined the French offer,,,

Only him and his chi knew why he took such decision



...aboby where were you,,

..."I was in the toilet with bambam, applying the case of.."

Please what was the French offer he declined?

Ojukwu u re even calling ojukwu check mansa Musa and delete all the three

Interesting fact

and ojuku Jr wasted all the wealth on failed biafra war ,
at op what about karuna, what about mansa musa, what about Da rochas popularly known as darosa, what about gadafi all of African.
no doubt sir ojukwu was wealthy but not as exaggerated.

BlacSmit:
Ojukwu used his father's money to fight the civil war. On his eve of victory, he declined the French offer,,,

Only him and his chi knew why he took such decision



...aboby where were you,,

..."I was in the toilet with bambam, applying the case of.."

That was the worst mistake in his life.

Neglecting the French deal exposed Ojukwu as one who at times fails to consult his Chi before acting.

Quite Painful To Be Honest With You.

forghon:
Ojukwu u re even calling ojukwu check mansa Musa and delete all the three

Mansa Musa of Mali's wealth came from free gold found in his empire and not out of business ingenuity.

Tomide007
MJBOLT
Donmedra

Lord help my quest to blaze the trail for my generation like these men did.

Help all those who have my kind of dream too.

Where did you read that Sir Ojukwu was ever a Billionaire?
The man was rich but not on exargerated scale you love to propagate.

Tomide007:
The richest man that has ever existed was mansa musa and he was African.

Dt is not true...musa was a king..whose wealth was confused with the entire worth of the malian empire...musa monwy is money for an empire which it king showed off on slightest opprtuinity...

These people the OP listed are businessmen whose wealth we know the origin is not state money...so mk ur corrections

Ojukwu's dad was africas wealthiest man then...

Ojukwu senior was never a billionaire. You guys should stop turning history on its head just to feel good and chest beat.

Reading...

Wow! Good one from ojukwu.

So na men fess dey wia those shows way Mrs Adeola dey wia come office..

On a serious note, why do we have problems of wealth transfer in this country or in blacks? See abiola, that first Nigeria president of UAC(forgotten his name)...

The Rothschilds and the Rockefellers are still ruling the world....#WorldBank

abumeinben:
Reading...

Wow! Good one from ojukwu.

So na men fess dey wia those shows way Mrs Adeola dey wia come office..

On a serious note, why do we have problems of wealth transfer in this country or in blacks? See abiola, that first Nigeria president of UAC(forgotten his name)...

The Rothschilds and the Rockefellers are still ruling the world....#WorldBank

I think it has to do with having a large family but the tide is turning with modern billionaires who have small families and take their companies public to ensure it out lives the founders and remains for generations.

Heard of Mansa Musa?... As wealthy as he could have effortlessly signed on Louis Ojukwu on a 100year slave deal.
How could having a Rolls Royce on installments translate to being the richest in Africa?
A mere agbero from Lagos to Onitsha.


-python amaka

Warship:


Mansa Musa of Mali's wealth came from free gold found in his empire and not out of business ingenuity.

Is the topic about business?
Mansa Musa is the wealthiest man that ever walked the face of Africa!
Undisputed!

Warship:


Mansa Musa of Mali's wealth came from free gold found in his empire and not out of business ingenuity.

Tomide.007
MJ.BOLT
Don.medra

If your reasoning ain't much daft, how come nations with free gold weren't as wealthy as he was?
South East had free coal, why weren't your region the richest in the days even as coal was one of the biggest demands during and after the world war?
Ojukwu transported textiles from Lagos to Onitsha, much as Mansa sold his commodities which also included ivory trade, to as far as the middle east and europe.

Hardly would ibos "make it" without being to Lagos, which explains much.


-python amaka

Warship:


Mansa Musa of Mali's wealth came from free gold found in his empire and not out of business ingenuity.

Tomide007
MJBOLT
Donmedra

and the gold get leg walk to him abi so even oil money too is nt business.

For those calling Mansa of Mali, for one, I'm talking about modern era...18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, with wealth we can quantify. Not someone that was an emperor in c.1100 and made his wealth from his empires...that was what Mansa Musa did. I don't consider him wealthy, just as I don't consider Queen of England wealthy. Sir Ojukwu's wealth can be quantify; go to Lagos and see those buildings he owned as far back as 1950s...these huge buildings that only multi billionaires could own back then.

If you want me to mention Mansa, then we must mention King Solomon, King of Brunie and all other kings and emperors. But that's not the point of this, the point is BUILDING WEALTH FROM BUSINESS SWEAT THAT CAN BE VERIFIED.

Many of these people calling Mansa Musa did't even know what time he was on earth, they think it was like 18th or 19th centuries, this was around 1100, even Roman Empire was still on...LOL