Der Judenstaat

   Theodor Herzl was the driving force for the creation of the political ideology and worldwide movement of modern political Zionism. Herzl wrote Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State), published in Vienna on 14 February 1896, in which he assesses the situation and problems of the Jews and proposes a practical plan for resolution of the Jewish Question. It contains an examination of the status of the Jewish people and a detailed plan for creating a state in which Jews would reconstitute their national life in a territory of their own. Herzl sets forth his concept of a Jewish homeland, believing this was the only solution to anti-Semitism. Herzl's pamphlet was the catalyst for a campaign to influence European leaders on behalf of the Zionist cause. As a result of this initiative, the first World Zionist Congress was convened in Basle, Switzerland, in 1897, at which the World Zionist Organization was established. Subsequently, Herzl traveled widely to publicize and gain support for his ideas.