Pg 1 to 9- Nationalism, Balfour, Zionism Flashcards
What is nationalism?
Nationalism is the idea that people who share a common history, language, religion, and traditions form a nation who should rule themselves. Nationalists believe that loyalty to their nation and culture is of the utmost importance.
What do some historians say about a nation?
Some historians have said that a nation is not a real community but an imagined community, referring to the makings of an invented tradition.
What was the situation in the Middle East at the end of the 19th century?
Most of the Middle East, including Palestine, was part of the Ottoman Empire, and there was a growing feeling among the Arab people that they should rule themselves.
What opportunity did Arab nationalists see during World War I?
Arab nationalists saw Turkey’s involvement on Germany’s side as an opportunity to break away and establish an independent Arab state.
What did McMahon’s letters promise?
McMahon sent letters to Sharif Husayn stating that Britain was prepared to recognize and support the independence of the Arabs, although the letters were vague about the precise borders of this future Arab state.
What was the outcome of the Arab revolt in 1916?
With the help of British forces, the Arabs defeated the Turks and expected Britain to honor its promise of support for Arab independence.
What conflicting promise did Britain make?
The British also made a promise of support to Jewish nationalists, which conflicted with their promise to the Arabs.
What is the historical context of Jewish nationalism?
Jewish nationalism developed during the years they spent in the diaspora after being expelled from Palestine by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.
What was the impact of anti-Semitism in Europe?
Anti-Semitism was rampant in Europe, leading to persecution and murderous pogroms, causing many Jews to flee to Western Europe or the United States.
What was Theodor Herzl’s contribution to Jewish nationalism?
In 1896, Theodor Herzl published his pamphlet Der Judenstaat, which formulated a concrete solution to anti-Semitism.
What was the status of Jews in Palestine by 1914?
A small but growing number of Jews, mainly from Russia, had settled in Palestine, forming less than 10% of the population.
What is Zionism?
Zionism arose as a nationalist and political movement aimed at restoring the land of Israel as a national home for the Jewish people.
What was the Balfour Declaration?
The Balfour Declaration was a letter written by Arthur Balfour in 1917, confirming British government support for a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.
What was the response of Arab nationalists to the Balfour Declaration?
Arab nationalists questioned Britain’s right to approve the establishment of a Jewish state in Arab Palestine, especially after Britain’s promise to support Arab independence.
What were Britain’s ambitions in the Middle East?
Britain wanted to maintain stability and control in the region, partly because of the Suez Canal and oil discoveries.
What happened to the Arab lands after World War I?
After the war, the Arab lands in the Ottoman Empire became mandates of Britain and France, with only Saudi Arabia becoming an independent Arab state.
What was the aim of the Zionist Organisation?
The aim of the Zionist Organisation was to create a Jewish majority in Palestine by increasing the number of immigrants.
What was the outcome of the three-year Arab uprising?
The Arab uprising was harshly suppressed by the British, who found it increasingly difficult to maintain control in Palestine.
What decision did Britain make in 1939 regarding Jewish immigration?
In 1939, Britain announced strict limits on Jewish immigration to win the support of the Arabs as another world war seemed likely.
What were the consequences of the Balfour Declaration?
The Zionists in Palestine established self-defence organisations like the Haganah, while the British limited Jewish immigration under Arab pressure.
