For many, it is an absurd question. Actually, for “experts,” it is a question not even worth discussing.

Yet, it is a true story that the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) has been trying to advance for nearly a decade. Only now, because of an exhibition that opened at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on April 22, is the answer gaining traction.

In the past few days, a flood of articles has come out in the media, especially the Jewish media, that ask the question, Did the Jews Save the American Revolution. The question is not quite as ridiculous as before.

So…how did the Jews save the American Revolution?

Haym Salomon comes to mind. He was a big factor, but he did not save the American Revolution. After the American victory, the new government left him in bankruptcy without even a thank you or a gravesite. He died in abject poverty.

The Jews did not save the American Revolution. Antisemitism saved the American Revolution.

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Saint Eustatius is a tiny pimple-looking island when seen from the air. Its key topographical point is the Quill – a volcano jutting up from the ocean, making the island visible.

In the 18th century, Saint Eustatius belonged to the “neutral” Dutch. It was one of a handful of Dutch Islands that acted as “free ports” in the American War. American ships could come in and obtain war materials. In the early years of the revolution, France was neutral. France did not permit American ships to buy weaponry. The Dutch were more interested in money than anything else. Saint Eustatius became the armory of the American Revolution, and the British could not touch it without starting another war with Holland.

Jewish merchants were major suppliers of weapons and war materials on Saint Eustatius. The shoreline along the harbor was packed with warehouses filled with much-needed war supplies.

The British fumed, especially when the war turned against them. By 1780, they found Saint Eustatius an intolerable cancer in their side, helping the American cause. The British sent a massive invasion fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney and 3,000 soldiers to take the island defended by 45 Dutch soldiers and a few cannons. It was not much of a fight.

In the late 18th century, commanding British officers were entitled to a portion of the booty they captured. The rest of the valued goods were considered property of the King.

Rodney had serious financial issues back in Britain. He was looking at bankruptcy. Saint Eustatius was a gold mine to him. Its harbors were filled with prize ships, and the shores were lined with loot.

Rodney discovered that at least 30% of the island’s merchants were Jews; it was as if God had fulfilled his greatest joy. He was a rabid antisemite.

With one stroke, Rodney realized he could plunder the Jews and enrich himself. He promptly did.

Jewish wealth whetted his greed and clouded his judgment. If he could rob the Jews this easily, he could rob anybody.

Rodney’s Admiralty orders were strict. He was to destroy Saint Eustatius and shadow the French Fleet, which was lurking in the Caribbean, to prevent it from harming any British interests.

Money spoke louder in Rodney’s ears. He chose to stay in Saint Eustatius, continuing to rob and loot any errant merchant vessel unknowingly coming to the port. He stayed for months longer than necessary. The French Fleet escaped north towards America and destiny.

Rodney finally sent Admiral Hood with a number of British warships to confront the French. The two fleets met outside the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The British were soundly defeated.

The defeat of the British fleet guaranteed disaster for British General Cornwallis. He was trapped in a tiny peninsula village named Yorktown. He was cut off from desperately needed reinforcements. Cornwallis had the James River to his back and the combined land forces of the Continental Army and the French Army in front of him. The French fleet controlled the water.

Cornwallis was finished. Admiral Rodney’s decision to disobey his orders and overstay his time at Saint Eustatius and line his pockets doomed Cornwallis.

In England, Edmund Burke, the government’s opposition leader, rose in Parliament to condemn Rodney for what he did in Saint Eustatius. He specifically condemned Rodney for his treatment of the Jews.

Rodney defended his actions from Jamaica. He said the Jewish merchants were engaged in “Pernicious and Contraband Trade.” From Kingston, he insisted that “particularly the Jews” trade illegally with the Spaniards.

Rodney’s antisemitism was swept away, sinking into the dark ocean. After the American disaster, the French turned their attention to the British Island of Jamaica. Rodney met the French at sea and destroyed their fleet. A statue of Roman grandeur was erected in Jamaica in honor of Rodney. Today, that statue is decayed and disintegrating.

The Jews tried to rebuild their lives in Saint Eustatius but failed. What was left of the Jewish community left, hoping for better, safer harbors. The Danish Island of St. Thomas beckoned.

Today, in front of Fort Oranje, in Saint Eustatius, overlooking the harbor, where the Jews were robbed and imprisoned, is a unique interpretive marker that reflects on Rodney’s antisemitic greed and the fall of Cornwallis. The marker was funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. It was sited in 2022.

Last week, JASHP renewed its efforts to tell the story. JASHP reached out to the media, to historians, and to the Weitzman with an idea to finally bring proper recognition to Saint Eustatius and How the Jews saved the American Revolution. 

In Yorktown, Virginia, is the Yorktown National Park Visitor Center. It is a magnificent edifice of interpretive history. From the high gallery ceiling, the flags of the States and the many countries that fought hang in reverent honor. JASHP proposes that a flag for Saint Eustatius be added to the gallery. Six years ago, no one was interested. Maybe today, almost 250 years late, the flag of Saint Eustatius will be added. One of the stories behind the flag of Saint Eustatius at the Yorktown visitor center will be “How the Jews Saved the American Revolution.”

JASHP has reached out to Saint Eustatius Governor Alida Francis with the proposal. Governor Francis attended the opening of the exhibit at the Weitzman.

Did the Jews and antisemitism save the American Revolution? By itself, probably not. What can not be denied is that ironically, Jew hatred was a big factor in ultimately saving the American Revolution.

Today, in contemporary America, antisemitism has become acceptable, mainstream. It is especially linked to one of the main American political parties. Will antisemitism save the American Revolution again, or will antisemitism sink it?

Jerry Klinger is the President of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)