























Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
stuudy notes fpr rels 356 final
Typology: Study notes
1 / 31
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Homeland Early Zionism Proto-zionism ● Secular understanding of Judaism ● Self determination Practical zionism Types of Zionism Political zionism ● After programs – abandoned hopes of integration ● Become a political movement Religious Zionism ● Moving to Israel= immense religious significance Revisionist Zionism Socialist/Labor Zionism Cultural Zionism Diaspora Zionism Zionism Moses Hess: Jews should not wait for messiah → bridges religious ideals with nationalist ideals ● (^) Jewish Nationalism → Jews could not assimilate ● Hess viewed the Jewish question as fundamentally a national issue more than a political or religious ● Hess wanted to go back to Israel and connected with religious aspect ○ But still rooted from nationalism Late 18th-19th there is a shift in ● Don’t wait for divine intervention Moshe Leib Lilienblum ● Jews must assert itself (not from religious POV) Leo Pinsker ● Author of auto-emancipation in 1882 ● (^) Pessimistic tone → after seeing the pogroms → Jews are seen as ghosts → solution is to create a Jewish homeland (not necessarily in Palestine) ● Unlike Hess, Pinsker approached form a practical POV and said it didn't matter where but we must have a homeland ● Secularized zionism and focused less on cultural or religious revival ○ Jewish autonomy is more important ● Jews have no hope in europe and need homeland Elkai? ● Jews are spiritual entity and must return to the homeland Religious Idea, Practical and Political Zionism emerges Jewish Response to Zionism in the 19th Century ● Both reform and orthodox Jews reacted differently to zionism ○ Depended on their environment, ideologies, etc.
● Last attempt for zionisitc movements were unsuccessful ● Jews are resilient and this further fuels Jew hatred ● Jewish emancipation fueled antisemetism ● Jews don’t have another option they must have Jewish nationality and not just religion ● The plan – Argentina – there are alot of Jews there ○ Palestine is more favourable ■ Potential for Jews to establish and grow the palestininan state – which would be beneficial for other nations ● If you let us do this it will also be beneficial for you – Jews can contribute to modernity and the brighter future ● Context: Industrialization is occurring this time ○ Therefore his generation looks at new resources and technologies available as a solution to zionist ideals ○ Modeternity is at a peak ● Jews should not wait for external forces and must organize themselves to contorl their own future Acknowledgment of Imperfection: Herzl admits flaws, repetitions, and overlooked objections in his pamphlet but hopes readers will refine and improve the ideas. Collective Effort: The creation of a Jewish state is not one man’s task but a collective responsibility requiring widespread involvement. Addressing Objections: ● Universal Suffering: While many people suffer, alleviating Jewish distress is a crucial and valid starting point. ● Unity vs. Separation: Critics who oppose creating distinctions between people are idealistic; conflict is an inevitable part of human progress. ● Persistent Enemies: Even with a homeland, Jews will have enemies like every nation, but they will never face global scattering again unless civilization collapses. Anti-Semitism & Resistance: ● Acknowledging internal flaws within the Jewish community is not arming anti-Semites but being honest. ● Official discrimination would trigger resistance and economic crises, making widespread oppression impractical. The Urgency of Emigration: ● Jewish poverty and persecution are worsening, but many resist emigration due to uncertainty about where to go. ● The poor and desperate will be essential pioneers of the new state, driven by hope and necessity. Feasibility of the Project: ● What was impossible decades ago is now achievable with modern resources and technology. ● The wealthy understand the potential for development, while the poor maintain faith in the Promised Land. Immediate Impact: ● Once the plan begins, global anti-Semitism will fade, as the movement signals peace. ● The new state will provide roles for Jewish intellectuals and professionals, driving rapid progress. Spiritual & Cultural Revival: ● The movement will inspire even the most downtrodden Jews with renewed hope and purpose. ● Prayers for success will arise in both synagogues and churches, symbolizing shared relief from long-standing burdens.
Vision for the Future: ● A new generation of strong, selfless Jews — modern-day Maccabees — will emerge. ● The Jewish state will not only bring freedom and prosperity to its people but contribute positively to humanity as a whole. Is the land the actually important ● (^) Herzl → Palestine is the land of the Jews ● For other thinkers Argentina and Uganda are options because the land itself soesnt matter its about the Jews having their own state Context: Idea of Nation State: How was it Accepted ● Not a new idea at this time ● Mainstream discourse ● Enlightenment and rise of nationalism ● Identity is tied to nation ● National sovereignty was seen as the true source of power instead of monarchy ○ Therefore Herzl’s ideas weren’t so far fetched ● Repurcission due to nationalism: marginalized groups (minorities) ○ If they didnt fit the image of a country ○ I.e. Jews ● In the context of the time – Idea of Jewish Nationalism was not a weird idea ○ Many minorities felt the same way of wanting their own nationalistic identity Modern Jewish POlitics: Rise of Jewish Naitonalism and Zionism ● Not just old white males involved ● Also involved women and children/young adults Woman Who Played a Role ● Henrieeta Szold ● Golda Meir ● Rebecca Sieff Children who played a role ● Henrietta Szold ● Etc. Recap Jewish National Identity ● Led to the desire of Jewish homeland ○ Grew out of the awareness of the precarious position of Jews in Europe ■ Pogroms ■ Viloence ■ Antisemetism ● Condition of Jews in diaspora made return to homeland a political necessity and more than a religious thing ● Ha am has a different approach to zionism ● Herzl ○ Egalitarianism government is needed ○ Able to get funding from UK br
○ Some Jews emigrated to Israel because of the growing Kibuttz movement ■ But local restrictions in Palestine made large scale migration difficult ● Australia ○ Balfour declaration was celebrated ■ British alignment with zionism was celebrated ● British India ○ Indian Jews (Baghdadi Jews) faced discrimination ○ Zionist diplomacy and educational programs helped to spread awareness in these communities Age of Nationalisms: Interwar Palestine, Eastern Europe and North America Geography ● Ottoman rule ○ Multiethnic and diverse empire ○ Governed under Isalmic leadership ■ Still lots of Jews and christians ● Ottoman empire joined with Germany – the central axis ○ This led to inevitable downfall ○ Defeat led to eventual dissolution in 1932 ○ Years leading up to war consisted of violence and uneasiness between minorities or religious groups ■ E.g. Armenian genocide ■ (^) During WWI British aimed to get Jews on their sign → balfour declaration ● Imperial efforts of Britain ● Until the collapse, british influence, Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916), postwar settlement ● Imperialism and religion ○ British involvement and influence in WWI revolved around imperialist ideals ○ Religious significance of the land of Palestine for Christians, Jews, and Muslism British Mandate for Palestine Balfour Declaration ● Part of Britains broader strategy during the war ● 1917 ● Lord Balfour ● The declaration that states that supports a Jewish homeland in Israel ○ The reason that the British write the Balfour declaration in 1917 is that they are desperate for the Americans to enter the war (by 1917 it’s clear that the British/ French cannot win on their own) ○ So they offer this because they have a messed up belief that the Jews controlled the American government; as a result, they think that if they can get the Jews onside and believing that they will be offered this by the British post-war (IF THEY WIN), then they’ll convince the US to enter the war ● Changes the text from ‘the’ to ‘a’ national home ○ The first refers to ‘a national home’ which implies Isreal ○ The second refers to ‘the national home’ which doesn’t necessarily imply Israel ● A national home - implies that countries cannot expel Jews out of their country because it is not THE national home.
● No mention of other religious populations that live in Israel ● Contradiction between Balfour declaration and other correspondence creating hatred and tensions in this region Sykes-Picot Agreement ● 1916 ● Secret agreement with French and British ○ Following expected defeat in WW ● Britain and France made a secret agreement to divide the Middle East between themselves ● While still having the deal with the Arabs and Jewish ● With this agreement no one gets independence - it’s all under France and Britain ● Important: whatever deals they’re making with other people, this is the deal they make amongst themselves ● They want this deal because they want to maintain their power (colonization 1920 ● (^) League of Nations Mandate → Britain took control of Palestine ○ British Mandate for Palestine ■ Seen as the next step or the foundation for the state of Israel Balfour Declaration Reaction Eastern Europe ● Jews were concerned about the state in Eastern Europe Middle East ● Suspicious to this declaration ● (^) Tied to politics → war time strategies Immigration to Israel ● (^) Changing demographic (increase of Jews) → increased threatening feelings amongst population that was already there ○ Increases tensions and violence ■ Periodic clashes between Jews and Muslims ● 1936-1939: Uprising agianst British Rule that was the direct result from the tensions Imperialism ● British Mandate was a reflection of imperialism following WWI ○ Strategic decision to choose Palestine ■ I.e. Suez canal was an important gateway ■ I.e. maintain influence in Middle east ■ I.e. During war itself it made sense to align with Jews to get supporters accors the globe ● (^) League of Nations → help self-determination ○ Britain’s imperial interests took precedence ● Impact of Imperialism was felt most heavily by Arab population already present ○ Led to widespread resentment and nationalist Arab movements ○ (^) 1930s → limit Jewish immigration due to the unsettled state
● By 1930 Jewish emigration was illegal and therefore Zionism was a betrayl Migration ● Internal: Migration to the Pale of Settlement ● External 2: Emigration to the US ○ Late 19th century, Mass migration ● External 3: Migration to Ottoman Palestine ○ Zionist movement ● External 4: other regions Is there an alternative to the Jewish Homeland in Palestine ● Birobidzhan is an example of an alternative to zionism ○ (^) Zionism but within Russia → region within Russia which would speak Yiddish ■ Far away from establishing a homeland in Israel ○ It was a remote underdeveloped area close to China ■ Opportunity for development ○ Also seen as a away to force Jews into a one area and to discourage Jewish emigration ■ Designated area for Jews ■ Similar to Pale of Settlement ○ Propaganda to encourage people to move there was established ● Lenin and Stalin ○ Stalin targeted the Jewish thinkers and leaders ○ Antisemetism intensified with Stalin’s rule ■ Jews were imprisoned and executed ○ While Stalin died this era left Jews in precarious situation ● Zionism in North America ● Expansion, immigration ● “Americanization of Zionism” ● Zionism evolved and living in the diaspora and zionism could coexist ○ Therefore you dont need to live in Israel ● Abba Hillel Silver and Mordecai Kaplan played a major role in Zionism in North America ○ Most influential Jewish thinkers in the midst of the 20th century ○ Jewish identity and ZIonism were topics ○ (^) Shared a commitment to strengthening Jewish life → perspectives on America Differences ● Silver ○ Reform rabbi ■ Shifted Reform from anti zionism to zionism ○ Leading zionist which focused on utilizing politics to supporting Zionism ■ Lobbied with US government to secure support for Jewish state ○ Born in a later generation of thinkers (born 1893) ○ Illustrated how Zionism aligned with American values and ideals
● Kaplan ○ Reshaping Jewish communal life to reflect modern social and cultural life ○ Born in 1881 ○ Scholar and rabbi and religious thinker ○ (^) Reconstructionist Judaism → evolving Judaism rather than a fixed set of ideals ○ He supported Jewish homeland but was more concerned with how to create a sustainable Jewish community and identity in the US ○ Growing emphasis on cultural and communal identity rather than purely nationalist identity Kaplan: Judaism's Evolution & Homeland: ● Kaplan argued Judaism must adapt to stay relevant. ● A homeland (Eretz Israel) is crucial, but Diaspora life is equally important. American Jewry’s Role: ● American Jews act as the "home front," providing moral, political, and economic support to Israel. ● Israel’s survival depends on continued global Jewish support. Dual Commitment: ● Kaplan valued both national life in Israel and Jewish life in America. ● Jews in the Diaspora should engage fully in American social, cultural, and religious life. Critique of Diaspora Negation: ● Kaplan rejected the idea that Jewish life outside Israel is futile. ● He critiqued educators who taught children that suffering and exile were inevitable. Education & Identity: ● Teaching that Diaspora life is hopeless damages Jewish identity. ● Jewish education should inspire pride and faith in Jewish survival, both in Israel and abroad. Democracy & Jewish Survival: ● Democracy should allow Jews to maintain their identity and religious traditions. ● A thriving Jewish future depends on fostering cultural and religious vitality, not despair. ● Democracy’s Purpose: ○ Democracy aims to enable individuals and groups to achieve self-fulfillment (or salvation) without infringing on others' rights. ○ If democracy hinders a minority group's cultural or religious survival, it undermines the well-being of the majority as well. ● Jewish Survival in Democracy: ○ Jews must retain their identity and foster their religio-cultural tradition to achieve collective salvation. ○ Resolving the paradox of Jewish survival in democracy benefits both Jews and broader humanity. ● Limitations of Church-State Separation: ○ Separation of church and state doesn’t resolve the relationship between religion and social, economic, or political life. ○ True religion is inherently tied to human welfare and can't be neutral on societal issues. ● Dual Standards for Jewish Life:
Zionism ● (^) Middle Eastern Jews → Jewish national aspirations and deep conflict with local people ○ Not just European ideal ● (^) European Jews → National and self determination and also a response to antisemetism ○ (^) Eastern Europe → influenced by ideological movements (labour zionists, revisionitst zionism) ■ Lifeline. The only answer to protect Jews ■ Ideological and political response ○ (^) Germany → Nazis and antisemetic ideals further pushed individuals to seek out a Jewish homeland ● (^) American Jews → Divided on Zionism ○ (^) Approached from pragmatic and political standpoint → strategically aligned with US ○ Many rejected Jewish nationalism to Israel as they believed that it limited their ability to integrate into the US ○ However it gained traction due to further immigration and vital thinkers ■ (^) Aligned zionism with US values → expression of democracy and justice rather than a challenge against US ○ Holocaust further justified zionism as a imperative movement ○ By 1948, Zionism was a notable aspect of American Jews ● By 1950 Zionism was once again reshaped ● Therefore, zionism is shaped by where it was experienced ● Aftermath Holocaust ○ Zionism was no longer a debate but necessity Antisemitism in Europe – and in Germany ● Growing social and political issue that aligned with nationalism, racism, and evolvement of politics ○ Transition of Jewish hatred from relgious to racial ● (^) Germany → racial and pseudoscientific antisemetism ○ Antisemetism merged with nationalism ■ Desire of defining a “true german identity” -> Jews were seen as outsiders and non-patriotic ■ Jews were seen as could never integrate ■ Jews were scapegoats for economic or political unsucess or disruptions caused by industrialization ● Jews are an alien element ○ Illustrates that it was a systemic belief where people believed Jews were a threat to the nation Gobineau ● Mixing of racial groups = national degeneration ○ Believed in racial inferiority which poses a threat to European socieities
Wilhelm Marr ● Jews are a race and culturally different ● (^) Coined the term antisemetism → marking a shift from religious to political and racial ● Founded the league of antisemites Heinrich von Treitschke ● Central role in antisemetic thought ● He believed that Jews were an alien source which damaged national unity and spirit ○ Concerned with the growing number of Jews in upper soceity and influence in politics ○ Resonated with many nationalists ● Framed the Jewish quesiton as a threat to Jewish culture and customs – like Wagner Eugen Duehring ● Wrote a book on the Jewish quesiton ○ Jews = inherently immoral ■ Responsible for the moral decay in all of European society Adolf Stoecker ● Politician ● Founded the Christian Social Party ○ Harsh critiique of Jewish influence and place in soceity ○ Jews = immoral Alliance antijuive universelle ● 1883 in France ● Goal of opposing Jewish influence in European life ● French antisemetism was often Framed as political betrayl ○ (^) Less racial → though did merge Russia ● Antisemtism in Russia it was violent antisemetism ○ There were legal and social restraints ○ Russia had long been unwelcoming to Jews WWI ● Jews were active members in the army ○ However as Germany began to lose ideas of betrayal arose where Jews were a central target ○ Narrative emerged that Jews along with socialists and communists were involved in the downfall of Russia ■ (^) “Stab-in-the-back” propaganda → undermined the war effort from within ○ Many nationalists, politicians claimed that Jews were responsbile for revoltuin and fed into the narrative that Jews were enemies to the german state ● 1918-1919 = German revolution ○ Most Jews were not part of the revolutionary party 1920s and Nazis Movement “Mein Kampf” – ● Adolf Hitler – While imprisoned he wrote this book (for failed coup)
○ Jews cannot employ Aryan female domestic workers ○ They cannot display the colours of theReich, but must display Jewsih colours (forerunner of the Jewish star) Refugees from Germany in Europe until 1938 ● Most people that fled anti semitic sentiments fled to nearby European nations ○ Flee Nazis persecution ○ (^) France 100,000 Jews migration → Paris become one of the centres for political exhile (not just for Jews) ■ France and Czech Closed borders after 1933 ○ Czechoslovakia app. 20,000 → usually went there first because they had open borders ○ Switzerland app. 25, ■ Neutral in WWII ■ Very hard to enter ○ Netherlands app. 10,000 – closed borders ○ Scandinavia app. 60, ○ Palestine app. 60, ■ Starting 1936, British were very hesitant to allow people into Palestine due to tensions rising ○ Soviet union app 3,000 → paradoxical immigration because there was stalin’s repressive environment ○ (^) Turkey app. 3,000 → open immigration policies and also favoured intellectuals to immigrate ● (^) In 1938, Kristalnacht → anti semitic sentiment turns into violence ● Spanish civil war = a greater reflection fascist struggles in the world Jewish Refugees, 1933- ● US had the most Jews – 200, ○ But hesitant due to xenophobia ● Palestine – 138, ● Latin America – 85, ○ Argentina, Brazil and Mexico ○ Mexico – Opening borders to left wing thinkers and Jews ● Great Britain – approx 70, ○ Become a transit country due to colonial territories ○ Most notably 1938 when BRitish stepped away from Nazis appeasement strategy ■ Kindertransport ● Switzerland – 22, ● Canada – 5, ● Australia – approx. 15, ○ Very liberal immigration law ● Shanghai – appr 18, ● All primary sources are slightly inaccurate because finding numbers for migrants is very difficult WWII in Europe
● Germany occupies Soviet Union and other ● Wannsee conference ○ Inform the other Nazis officials about what is going on ○ In the meantime, emigration of Jews are forbidden as it is seen as a danger ● Language of the Wannsee protocol is obscure ○ “Eliminated by natural causes” → most explicit formulation in this document ○ “Other wil be treated accordingly” ○ “Final settlement” ● Even though it is a confidential meeting it is still not clear Timeline ● (^) 1939: Nazis invade Poland ○ Nazis round up the Jews; institutionalized killing does not begin ● (^) June 1941: Killings begin outside of towns (personal, up-close forms of killing) ● (^) 20 January 1942: High-ranking Nazis meet to codify policy for the Final Solution in Berlin Wannsee Conference ● 20 January 1942, top-ranking Nazi officials convened in a suburb of Berlin to codify the policy re: the “Final Solution” ○ (^) Not put it into place what will happen but to alert people of something happening → they had already built death camps ○ (^) Hitler isn’t there because this gives him plausible deniability → he wasn’t there so he’s not responsible ● Note: this meeting was NOT to discuss whether or not they would systematically murder the Jews, it was only a discussion to keep everyone in the loop about what was happening ○ They wanted to “evacuate” the Jews - a euphemism ○ Umschlagplats - place of deportation - places that the Jews were rounded up and taken to for days in advance of being sent to Treblinka ● The Nazis did not record the exact date of their decision to annihilate all of the Jews in Europe, but historians believe this decision had been made by Hitler and the highest-ranking Nazi leaders by the end of 1941. Once the goal had been established and approved by Hitler, it was up to other German leaders to coordinate the details necessary to make it happen. ● (^) Under the cover of war, their goal is to comb Europe for its Jews and systematically kill the Jews → then they would win the war and no one would know they even existed (erase them from history) Why did they get on trains if they knew they were going to die ● People couldn’t believe it was really true ● They are not willing/able to resist Migration movements ● Forced labour system ○ 20 million foreign civilian workers, concentration camp prisoners, prisoners of war from all of the occupied countries required to forced labour in German or occupied territories 1938- ○ Most of them from Poland and the Soviet Union German Resettlement in Central Europe ● Treaty of Lausanne 1923 – Greco-Turkish population exchange ○ Minority problem could be scientifically handled and satisfactorily dissolved ○ 1938-41 minorities became the currency of deals between dictatorships (german, italian, soviet, hungary and romania) German settlements in South-Eastern Europe ● South Tyrol Question
● Self awareness had shifted from diverse Jewish ideologies on a Jewish state to a united perspective