Balfour Declaration

Definition

The Balfour Declaration was a statement issued by the British government in 1917 expressing support for the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine. This declaration marked a significant moment in the history of Zionism and British foreign policy, especially in the context of World War I, as it indicated Britain's intention to play a role in shaping the future of Palestine following the collapse of empires, including the Ottoman Empire.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Balfour Declaration was articulated in a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community.
2. The declaration raised hopes among Jews worldwide for a return to their ancestral homeland but also fueled tensions with Arab inhabitants who opposed Jewish immigration.
3. It was part of a broader strategy by Britain to gain support from Jewish communities during World War I, particularly in the United States and Russia.
4. The Balfour Declaration later became a cornerstone for the British Mandate in Palestine, officially establishing British administrative control over the territory.
5. The declaration has had lasting implications on Israeli-Palestinian relations and is often cited as a key moment in the origins of the ongoing conflict over territory in the region.

Review Questions

• How did the Balfour Declaration reflect British strategic interests during World War I?
  • The Balfour Declaration was motivated by Britain's strategic interests as they sought to garner support from Jewish communities, particularly in America and Russia, during World War I. By publicly supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland, Britain aimed to secure financial backing and political influence from Jews worldwide. This move also intended to weaken Ottoman control over Palestine, thereby facilitating military objectives in the region while promoting British imperial ambitions.
• Analyze the implications of the Balfour Declaration on Arab populations living in Palestine at that time.
  • The Balfour Declaration had profound implications for Arab populations living in Palestine, as it signaled British support for increased Jewish immigration and settlement in a land where Arabs were the majority. Many Arabs perceived this declaration as a betrayal, fueling nationalistic sentiments and resistance against both British rule and Jewish immigration. The tensions that arose from this situation laid the groundwork for future conflicts and disputes over land ownership and governance in Palestine.
• Evaluate how the Balfour Declaration contributed to the post-World War I geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
  • The Balfour Declaration significantly shaped the post-World War I geopolitical landscape by intertwining Zionist aspirations with Western imperial interests. It led to the establishment of British control over Palestine under the Mandate System, which was meant to oversee the transition to self-governance. The conflicting promises made to both Jews and Arabs during this period created deep-seated divisions that have persisted throughout the 20th century, influencing regional dynamics, national identities, and international relations involving Middle Eastern countries.

Related terms

Zionism:

A nationalist movement among Jewish people advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Sykes-Picot Agreement:

A secret 1916 agreement between Britain and France that divided the Ottoman Empire's territories in the Middle East into zones of control after World War I.

Mandate System: A system established by the League of Nations to administer former territories of the Ottoman Empire and Germany after World War I, including Palestine under British control.