HISTORY 103 Lecture 4: Lecture 4 - The Twice Promised Land - Britain Retreats, 1917 - 2940
Document Summary
Outline - the twice promised land: britain retreats, 1917-1940. People often assume britain was committed to zionism, and they did drastically improve. Israel actually arose in the 1930"s with the full knowledge and cooperation of the british. The british retained a practical and instrumental, rather than emotional, view of zionism. The only consistent british goal ever was the welfare of the british empire. If zionism could strengthen the empire, they were glad to help them. If zionism impaired imperial security, the british would have no problem abandoning them. British became caught in a dilemma of their own making o. Tried to maximize their influence by appealing at various times to both jewish and arab constituencies despite their irreconcilable goals o o. In 1920"s it seemed the british could pull off the balancing act. As arab attacks on jews and the british increased (1929-39), they realized it. Viii. would be impossible to satisfy both groups and still protect the british empire.
