The Balfour Declaration: Activity Historical Context
The Balfour Declaration: Activity Historical Context
The Balfour Declaration, issued on November 2, 1917 by Lord Arthur Balfour was a historic statement that recognized the right of the Jews to a homeland in the Land of Israel. This activity focuses on the historical events that led up to the Balfour Declaration, touching also on the personality of Balfour himself. We learn about the Declaration, the ensuing expectations and disappointments, and the grief over Balfour’s death. We go on to explore reactions to the Balfour Declaration in Israeli society over the years and the place of Balfour today through the various places named after him.
The activity is suitable for high school students.
History teachers could use this activity when discussing the background to the establishment of the state of Israel, the Zionist movement, the Yishuv, and relations between Israel and the world. It could also be used in the context of World War I and the British Mandate.
Background Materials for Teachers
99+ Years of the Balfour Declaration, Stand With Us YouTube Video
Exclusive interview with Lord Rothschild, Balfour 100 Video
Zionism and the Balfour Declaration, PBS Learning Media Resource
Israeli Declaration of Independence (translated), Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Background Information about the Balfour Declaration, The Knesset
The Secret Drafts of the Balfour Declaration, National Library of Israel
Website with resources, Balfour 100
The National Library of Israel, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, [email protected] POB 39105 Jerusalem, Israel
http://web.nli.org.il/sites/NLIS/en/Education/Pages/default.aspx
Pre-Class Preparation
Email the students the attached worksheet. (Email is preferable as the worksheet contains a number of links.)
Ensure all students have a Google account.
Using Google My Maps, teachers will create a map with the title “Balfour Declaration". (Watch this tutorial.)
Warm-up Activity
At the beginning of the twentieth century, many of the structural organisations connected to the Zionist movement had already been established: the World Zionist Organisation, the Jewish National Fund, etc. Although the number of Jews who had moved to Israel was small, it was steadily growing. The Zionist movement had not yet been recognized by any of the world's superpowers; a recognition which would turn the Zionist dream into a political reality. World War I, in which Ottoman Turkey stood by Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Bulgaria in their war against Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and eventually the United States, provided the opportunity to receive the sought-after recognition.
On November 2, 1917, the British government published a statement recognizing the right of the Jewish people to a national home in its historical homeland. This statement later became known as the Balfour Declaration.
As background, show segments from these two videos and explain the context of the Balfour Declaration:
Exclusive interview with Lord Rothschild, Balfour 100 Video
Zionism and the Balfour Declaration, PBS Learning Media Resource
The National Library of Israel, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, [email protected] POB 39105 Jerusalem, Israel
http://web.nli.org.il/sites/NLIS/en/Education/Pages/default.aspx
Stage 1: Analysing Primary Sources
Divide the class into small groups.
Using either the worksheet or this link, students analyse three of the following primary sources from the NLI as well as the Israeli Declaration of Independence:
Balfour's Letters HaChoma: Security and Defence Issues – The Balfour Declaration Balfour Reception in Gymnasium Yard Death Announcement of Lord Balfour Serviette from Balfour's Cellar Portrait of Chaim Weizmann
Stage 2: Presentation and Class Discussion
Each group presents its findings to the class.
Together discuss the answers to the questions posed.
The National Library of Israel, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, [email protected] POB 39105 Jerusalem, Israel
http://web.nli.org.il/sites/NLIS/en/Education/Pages/default.aspx
Stage 3: Summary – Creating a Geographic Timeline
Students work in their groups to summarise the Balfour Declaration using Google My Maps.
Each group is assigned one event from the timeline. The group must: place the event on the map, add a date, find a photograph, and provide additional information according to their assigned "topic for further research"(see below). Their research should be based on material learned in the lesson with additional information from the internet.
Number on Event Topic for further research Timeline
1 Balfour's birth Balfour's biography and official positions
2 The first Zionist Political Zionism and Chaim Weizmann's Congress attempts to procure the Balfour Declaration
3 Sykes-Picot Sykes, Picot, McMahon and the international Agreement diplomatic background to the Balfour Declaration
4 Balfour Declaration Content of the Declaration and the reasons for its publication
5 World War I Results of the war and its influence on the Zionist movement
6 Balfour's visit to Obstacles to the implementation of the Israel Declaration
7 Establishment of the Significance of the Declaration for the Zionist State of Israel movement
The National Library of Israel, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, [email protected] POB 39105 Jerusalem, Israel
http://web.nli.org.il/sites/NLIS/en/Education/Pages/default.aspx