Language:
English
Year of publication:
1996
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish History
Angaben zur Quelle:
10,2 (1996) 9-19
Keywords:
Disraeli, Benjamin,
;
Rothschild family
;
Antisemitism History 19th century
;
Jews History 19th century
Abstract:
Compares the reception of Disraeli with that of the Rothschilds in British society. During his career, Disraeli, a converted Jew, experienced antisemitism to a greater degree than did the British Rothschilds who were true Jews. This was not only due to the fact that the Rothschilds were rich while Disraeli was not. The Rothschilds, without abandoning their Jewish identity, managed to acquire the "male virtues" and the way of life of the English aristocrat, whereas Disraeli remained a "bright boy on the outside". Another reason was the political choice made by Disraeli: he was a Conservative, a member of the party which opposed the emancipation of religious minorities, but he used what he deemed to be "Tory arguments" for emancipation, thus being suspect in his own party and a hypocrite in the eyes of Liberals. The Rothschilds threw their lot in with the Liberals, supporters of religious equality, and thus made a natural alliance which eased their entry into English society.
Note:
Appeared also in "Disraeli's Jewishness" (2002) 162-179.
URL:
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