First published in Russia in 1903, the Protocols purported to be a report of a series of 24 meetings held at Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, at the time of the first Zionist Congress.

There, Jews and Freemasons were said to have made plans to disrupt Christian civilisation and create a one-world state under their joint rule. Liberalism and socialism were to be the means of subverting Christendom; if subversion failed, all the capitals of Europe were to be sabotaged.

The Protocols were printed in Russia in abbreviated form in 1903 in the newspaper Znamia ("Banner") and subsequently (1905) as an addendum to a religious tract by Serge Nilus, a tsarist civil servant. They were translated into German, French, English, and other European languages and soon became a classic of antisemitic literature.

Henry Ford’s private newspaper, Dearborn Independent, in the United States, often cited them as evidence of a Jewish threat.

The spurious character of the Protocols was first revealed in 1921 by Philip Graves of The Times (London), who demonstrated their obvious resemblance to a satire on Napoleon III by the French lawyer Maurice Joly, published in 1864 and entitled Dialogue aux enfers entre Machiavel et Montesquieu ("Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu").

Subsequent investigation, particularly by the Russian historian Vladimir Burtsev, revealed that the Protocols were forgeries compounded by officials of the Russian secret police out of the satire of Joly, a fantastic novel (Biarritz) by Hermann Goedsche (1868), and other sources.

The Protocols' origins can be traced back to a significant political upheaval in Russia. The early 20th century was marked by social unrest, and various groups sought to blame the Jewish population for the country's problems. This environment provided fertile ground for the emergence of conspiracy theories.

An unknown author allegedly compiled the Protocols, drawing heavily from earlier works, including Maurice Joly's satirical text, Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu. The document was designed to mimic the style of a legitimate political manifesto, which contributed to its initial acceptance among specific audiences.

In 1921, the British newspaper The Times published articles that exposed the Protocols as a forgery. The investigation revealed that much of the content had been plagiarised from various sources, and the newspaper labelled the document a "fake" and a "clumsy forgery." This marked a significant turning point in the public perception of the Protocols.

Despite being debunked, the Protocols continued to circulate and were utilised by various antisemitic groups, including the Nazi Party in Germany. Adolf Hitler and other leaders used the text to justify their ideologies and policies against Jews, demonstrating the document's enduring impact on antisemitism.

In contemporary times, the Protocols have experienced a resurgence, often resurfacing in discussions surrounding antisemitism and conspiracy theories. Various extremist groups continue to promote the text, using it as a tool to propagate hate and misinformation.

Organisations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have worked tirelessly to educate the public about the origins and falsehoods of the Protocols. Their efforts aim to combat the spread of antisemitism and to promote understanding and tolerance.

The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion are a stark reminder of the power of misinformation and the dangers of conspiracy theories. While the document has been thoroughly discredited, its legacy continues to influence antisemitic rhetoric and actions. Understanding its history is crucial in the fight against hate and the promotion of a more informed society.