Final answer:
Zionism is the movement initiated by Theodor Herzl to establish a sovereign Jewish homeland in Palestine due to escalating anti-Semitism in Europe. It gained momentum after the Holocaust, leading to the establishment of Israel in 1948, but also to ongoing regional tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zionism is the movement to return Jews to their ancient homeland in the Middle East. Initiated by Theodor Herzl at the end of the 19th century, Zionism aimed to establish a separate Jewish homeland due to the persecution of Jews in Europe. Herzl, a Jewish Austrian journalist, was moved by the anti-Semitism he witnessed, notably the Dreyfus Affair in France, which convinced him of the necessity for a sovereign Jewish state. Zionists began buying land in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire and later under British Mandate following World War I. The movement faced objections from religious Jews who believed the return to Israel should occur only with the arrival of the Messiah. However, Zionist settlers, who formed defensive organizations like the Haganah, continued to push for a Jewish homeland. The Holocaust during World War II further emphasized the need for a Jewish state, as it laid bare the vulnerability of Jewish communities worldwide. The establishment of Israel in 1948 was a fulfillment of Zionist aspirations, but also led to long-term regional conflicts, particularly with Palestinian Arabs already residing in the area. Today, the impact of Zionism can be seen in the existence of the state of Israel and the demographic shift of Jewish populations, with the U.S. and Israel becoming major centers of Jewish life post-World War II.