The Second Aliyah
(1904 - 1914)
The Second Aliyah, in the wake of pogroms in Czarist Russia and
the ensuing eruption of anti-Semitism, had a profound impact on
the complexion and development of modern Jewish settlement in
Palestine. Most of its members were young people inspired by socialist
ideals. Many models and components of the rural settlement enterprise
came into being at this time, such as "national farms"
where rural settlers were trained; the first kibbutz, Degania
(1909); and Ha-Shomer, the first Jewish self-defense organization
in Palestine. The Ahuzat Bayit neighborhood, established as a
suburb of Jaffa, developed into Tel Aviv, the first modern all-Jewish
city. The Hebrew language was revived as a spoken tongue, and
Hebrew literature and Hebrew newspapers were published. Political
parties were founded and workers' agricultural organizations began
to form. These pioneers laid the foundations that were to put
the yishuv (the Jewish community) on its course toward an independent
state.
In all, 40,000 Jews immigrated during this period, but absorption
difficulties and the absence of a stable economic base caused
nearly half of them to leave.
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