Zionism is the most important Jewish political movement in two millennia. It gathered the Jewish nation into and around the State of Israel, and it has provided incredible meaning to Jews around the globe. In this course, we’ll examine key speeches from the founding of Israel on themes including antisemitism and the need for a Jewish state, the meaning behind Israel’s Declaration of Independence, and early visions of Israel. Through this course, students will be able to apply foundational texts to the modern study of Israeli politics, culture, and society. We will probe Ze’ev Jabotinsky involvement at the Peel Commission, Israel’s Declaration of Independence, and Moynihan’s condemnation of the “Zionism is Racism” motion at the UN.