Essay q
What were the causes for the Great Revolt? Briefly explain the events of the revolt. What were the Palestinian demands? How did it affect the two communities in Palestine? What were its political consequences? From a Palestinian perspective, in what ways did the revolt succeed and it what ways did it fail?
Causes for the Revolt: . Al-Qassam leadership becomes symbol the armed struggle, he death/killed . Jewish Immigration: . Population was ⅓ Palestine . Demographics are slowly shifting . Weapons Stockpile of Zionists . British Opposition to the Palestinian Legislative Council . Zionists blocking the Palestinian Legislative council as well Arab Demands End to Jewish immigration End to Zionist land Purchases End of the British Mandate Full Arab independence in all of Palestine. Majority rule . Affecting Groups Arabs . During the revolt, they don't have unified leadership Jewish Helped unify Peel Commission . Helped Jewish creation of state Arabs were subject Consequences The peel commission is scraped. The Arab leadership crumbles. Most leaders either escape or exiled. The Yishuv is stronger than ever before. High levels of political unity, autonomy, and increased coercive capacity. The Haganah becomes a small scale army with battle field experience. Ways the revolt succeeded: The introduction of the white paper Ways the revolt failed:
Why did Zionism emerge in the late 19th century? What challenges did Western and Eastern European Jews face? What were the primary forms of Zionism that emerged? How did they differ? What were the main alternatives to Zionism? What factors led to the success of the Zionist solution?
Anti-Semitsm as a recurring phenomenon in Europe. Primarily on religios ground. The Jewish experienced raids, expulsions, forced concersion and murder, orccupational restrictions. Western Europe: 18th century - the enlightenment and the French revolution spread ideas of civic equality and emancipation The Edict of Tolerance in Austria, The French revolution, Most countries in Western Europe emancipate their Jewish population Eastern Europe: Live primarily in Poland that was divided between: Russia, Prussia, and Austria • Most Jews religious and opposed integration • Sporadic eruption anti-Semitic attacks and riots • 1790-1 - Legal restrictions in Russia. Jews must live in 'pale of settlement' • 1850's - the Haskala movement seeks emancipation • 1881 - The murder of the Tsar Alexander II • The new Tsar is hostile toward Jews • Jews are blamed for the assassination • series of anti-Jewish pogroms erupt (1881-1884) • May 1882 - the "May laws" • Immigration - 2.5-3 million Jews emigrated from eastern Europe 1881-1914 • By 1914 a third of the population in NYC was Jewish • Problems: - Anti-Semitism in Western Europe - 1924 US immigration reform Basel Conference • A need for a Jewish homeland in Palestine • Creation of Zionist institutions • Need for international support (a charter) • Brought all the Zionist factions together and created a platform for the movement Alternatives : • Ahad Ha'am - Cultural Zionism - Palestine as a cultural center. Most Jews should remain in the Diaspora. The center in Palestine will be cultural and spiritual. • Rabbi Kook - Religious Zionism - Zionism as redemption as holy work that fulfils the will of God. Building the holy land will help to reach salvation and bring the Messiah
Zionists hold that British attitudes toward Zionism and the Jewish national home changed between the Balfour declaration and the 1939 white paper while Palestinians claim it remained consistently pro-Zionist. Describe the evolution of British policy toward the Zionist project during this period and the factors that affected it. What evidence is there to support or refute the argument concerning the change in British attitudes during this period? Which approach do you find more compelling? Explain
Evolution of British Policy with the Zionist Project a. The Balfour Declaration: A public declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations - in a letter to Rothschild - that promises a "national home" to the Jews. Suggests that Jews can be patriotic and successful citizens in whatever state they live in. Very vague. The Balfour Declaration Justifications and Implications for British · Wanted to persuade the new revolutionary leaders of Russia not to leave the war (many were Jews) · To influence America (through American Jewish interests) to put greater force/ vigor into the war · To forestall a similar declaration by Germany or the Ottomans who might put forth a similar agreement for the same, abovementioned reasons · A Brit-supported Jewish homeland in Palestine would help to strengthen Brit influence on the strategic area after the war - (Suez Canal for India; also land link to India and Iraq - growing importance of oil) British promise both PAlestinians and Zionists self determination in vague detail of the agreement. . Hussain takes arms agaisn the Ottomans to undermine the Russian intersts . THe NILI supoported the BRitish war effort in ipes of supporting zionsit projct. . British then control Mandate after war . Khaladi makes the argument that the Zionists were given the advantage. The Palesitnans were never recognized as a national colelctive . Took down their institutions . Mandate was created in light of the JEwish Settlement . Khaladi argues that Palestinian institutions would create more factions if they were to rise predominantly and split the British interests. . Splitting the PAlestinian amongst themselves into factions lowered their chances to create a stronger representation British Policy: . In London: worked closely with the Jews and WZO . British in the ground: Fearful Zionist unrest and organizational strength . Dilemma of landless peasants Encouragement of dual isntituional building . Acceptance of Balfour and Zionist Repression limited Palestinian insituional effectiviness. Britain's was soon considered a traitior of both as seeing the Zionists more disruptive Yet supporting the immigration into Zioinsm back in London. The delimema created Zionists to try to take what they can to build a state form the British and create a state like capacity Riots: May Day Riots, Nebi Musa Riots Riots insitiated calming and Peel Comission: . Peel Commission's: Halting Jewish Immigration . Justification: There could be no compromise: Must create sperete states The White Papers: 1922: Halted Jewish Immigration due to Palestinian fear. Stated that Jews could not immigrate to Palestine unless it accommodates to the absorvative economic capacity of the needed amount. Jews interpreted this to develop more economically in order to fufill the need of an economic capacity quota. 1930: Britis blame the Arabs for the Wailing Wall Riots, but bar Jewish Immigration due to economic and unemployement of the Palestinians. Defined what capacity was. But the uproar and the power of the WZO in London and Labor Zionists reversed the Paper . Khaladi Argument: British necessity of Jews and halting of resoltuon that supports Palestinians . White Paper 1939: Scraps the Peel Commission and creates the idea for asingle state in order for Palestiians to have economic capabilities. Halted immigration as and would remove illegal immigrants if they come. Any future immigration after the 5 years will have to be approved by the Arab commision Jews Continued to support the Britihs in order to still remain in high accord regasrdless of the decsion.
Institutions and the iron cage offer two alternative explanations for the divergent development of the Palestinian and Zionist communities in mandatory Palestine. Explain the main ideas of each of these alternative explanations (provide concrete examples from the readings). Based on your assessment of the evidence, which approach do you find more beneficial for understanding the events that took place during the mandate period? Why?
Britain set out to create a Jewish state or a "National Home." Palestinians required to accept Zionist goals in order to participate in the mandate Britain supposedly a role of "neutral arbitrator" Palestinians not given opportunities to build institutions. Britain promoted factionalism Unlike other mandates, in Palestine the settlers were being groomed for independence. Institution Zionists created strong institutions allowing them to govern themselves and create a state within a state. institutions provided public goods and gained popular legitimacy. The role of inclusive democratic procedures The import of capital (both personal and collective), its funneling through LSM institutions facilitated economic growth and the national project. Economic efficiency was subordinated to the goals of the national project Internal forces overcame external ones and gained control over the national project Labor Zionist hegemony created a consolidated leadership and allowed for coordination between various groups and institutions.
7. Why did Zionism emerge in the late 19th century? What challenges did Western and Eastern European Jews face? What were the primary forms of Zionism that emerged? How did they differ? What were the main alternatives to Zionism? What factors led to the success of the Zionist solution?
Zionism emerged from continuous persecution . The Jews were the primary other . During times of Economic Crisis or Scapegoating . Ex: Jews started the Black Plague etc. . Jews are considered as a plague Forms of Zionism Herzl: (political Zionism, Der Judenstat); Pinkser: Ha'am: Labor Zionism Alternative Zionism Western: These were new states; they were developing national identity that didn't necessarily included Jewish. Dreyfus Affair: journalist Herzl, innocent but found guilty, "romantic anti-Semitism" (based on stereotypes like Jews aren't really French, crafty, control money, etc.) Occupational limitations: Jewish people were tax collectors and constrictors; people don't like people who do these jobs. Still most Jewish in Western Europe were middle class. Eastern: Pogroms, state violence: insisted non-Jewish Russian to harm and kill Jewish. Pale of settlement; segregation in terms of where they can live. They were put in western Russia. In a very harsh condition. Almost all of them were very poor. They were less educated, but more religious and conservative. However, they were somehow happy with the fact that they were isolated because this worked in their favor. It helped them preserve their culture, religion and avoid intermarriage Factors for the success of Zionism International Institutions: WZO(money from Rothschild) WZO's money filters to Histadruit which $ goes to supporters/Mapai JNF(money from WZO) Buy Palestine land for Zionism Domestic Institutions: Histadrut (1920 money from WZO, provides jobs/edu/housing/unions/industries) Mapai (89% of population Labor Zionism, Ben-Gurion, uses money filter out dissent and give benefits to supporters); Haganah (1901-1902, formally 1920 paramilitary, IDF predecessor) Irgun (Revisionist [1967, far right, militant, preemptive strikes] paramilitary) Stern Gang (terrorist group) JAE (1920 established under Mandate) Labor Settlement Movement (LSM) Kupat Cholim (insurance, demonstrate reach and strength of institutions) Leadership (dem+socioeconomic status): drawn from Western Jewry (middle class, urban, not Kibutz), some women. Mostly representative
During the First World War, Britain made a series of agreements and promises to various states and groups regarding the future of Palestine and the Middle east. Briefly describe each of the agreements and promises. What was the goal of each agreement? What were the British interest that were involved in each of them? Were these agreements incompatible? Explain why.
a. Arab independence 1915-16 letters to Hussein British promised Sharif Hussein for Arab independence after the war if they would help them against the Ottoman empire. b. the Britain and France Sykes-Picot agreement to divide Turkeys Arab lands in 1916 British was interested the Suez Canal. Britain and France secretly plotted with Israel to invade Egypt and regain control. c. Balfour Declaration in 1917 a letter from the British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour that stated Jews could have a home land in Palestine. British could take control over Palestine from the Balfour Declaration. -British wanted Jewish and Arab support during WWI, but after the war they wanted to control Ottoman lands -As a result, they broke their promises to BOTH groups Yes, the promises made for (a. + c.) are impossible, since both groups wanted to take control over Palestine. For b. The agreement was concluded in secret partly because it represented a betrayal of a. During the war, in an effort to foment an Arab rebellion against the Ottomans, the British sought Hussein's support by agreeing to back the creation of an independent Arab state, with a few caveats.
The First and Second Aliya adopted divergent strategies toward Jewish settlement in Palestine. Briefly describe the nature of these two waves of immigration. What was the profile of the immigrants in these two waves? How did their settlement strategies differ? What were the causes for this shift? How did it alter the nature of the Zionist project? What were the effects of these divergent strategies on Arab Palestinians? How did these dynamics impact intergroup relations?
1st aliyah 20,000-30,000 immigrants between 1881-1904. Mainly from Russia but also from Yemen. • Most were not Zionists. Lived in the holy cities. • Approximately 5,000 Zionists immigrants (like Bilu) created agricultural colonies that were financially supported by the Rothschild family. • The Zionist immigrants were primarily: young, idealistic, and naïve. • Agricultural work was primarily preformed by cheap Arab labor. • Facilitated the development of Zionist culture, identity, and the revival of the Hebrew Language. The land purchased was marginal and not very fertile and extremely difficult to develop for agriculture. • The project was not economically sustainable without external financial support. • Harsh living conditions led to a massive return to Europe. Led the revival of the Hebrew language. • Increased Jewish (and Zionist) presence in Palestine. • Created patterns of Jewish settlements that were later reproduced and developed. • Set the stage for future Aliyot. 2nd Around 35,000 immigrants • Zionist and Socialist. Were very ideologically inclined • Created new forms of collective settlements (Kibutz, Moshav) • Developed the idea of the New Jew • Focus on Jewish labor.• Created Hashomer - a small military force. Developed the model of a separate self sustaining Jewishcommunity in Palestine (Pure settlement) • Created political parties and institutions • Formed the basis for the labor movement and the futurepolitical elite • Built schools, hospitals and other public services• Increased the use of Hebrew in everyday life • Created new forms of collective settlements (Kibutz, Moshav) • Created the first Hebrew city (Tel Aviv) New Jew Rejection of the exile and the exilic Jew • Religion of labor • Emphasized construction and agriculture and not traditional or modern Jewish professions • Stressed the importance of self reliance and self defense (Hashomer) • Strong promotion of Hebrew language and culture
