why did zionists return to Israel to form a new nation? A.to escape persecution and anti-semitism B.to avoid fighting in world war 1 C.to prevent another series of crusades D.to fulfill the promise of exodus
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/isdf/text/Maor.html
The answer to this question is A. The Zionists returned to Israel to form a new nation primarily to escape persecution and anti-Semitism. To understand why, we need to look into the historical context and the ideology behind the Zionist movement.
The Zionist movement emerged in the late 19th century as a response to the rising anti-Semitism and persecution of Jewish communities in Europe. It aimed to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which was then under Ottoman rule. The movement gained momentum after the Dreyfus Affair in France, where a Jewish officer was falsely accused of treason, stirring up anti-Semitic sentiments.
The founder of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl, argued that Jews would never truly be accepted and safe in European societies. He believed that the only way to ensure the security and survival of Jewish people was by establishing their own sovereign state. This idea was met with support from various Jewish communities, especially those facing persecution.
During World War I, the Zionist movement saw an opportunity to advance its cause. In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. This declaration was instrumental in gaining international recognition and support for the Zionist cause.
After the war, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine, and Jewish immigration increased. The establishment of a Jewish homeland gained further momentum with the rise of Nazism in Europe and the Holocaust during World War II, which highlighted the urgent need for a safe haven for Jewish people.
In 1948, the State of Israel was officially established, fulfilling the aspirations of the Zionist movement. The establishment of Israel was viewed as the fulfillment of the promise of exodus, as mentioned in your options, as it provided Jews with a place of refuge and allowed them to celebrate their heritage.
In summary, the primary motive behind the return of Zionists to Israel and the formation of a new nation was to escape persecution and anti-Semitism, rather than avoiding World War I, preventing another series of crusades, or specifically fulfilling the promise of exodus.