Rothschild and Early Jewish Colonization in Palestine

It is commonly accepted that the initial Jewish resettlement of the Holy Land in the late nineteenth century laid the foundations of the State of Israel. But what were the key elements of that process, and who implemented it? What did the new enterprise look like, and what was its significance? These important yet often poorly understood issues are reconstructed and analyzed in this unique study. Ran Aaronsohn provides fresh insight into the role played by Baron Edmond de Rothschild through his many and diverse agents ('the administration') in the Jewish settlement movement and places the endeavor in global perspective by comparing it to the phenomenon of colonization throughout the world.

It is commonly accepted that the initial Jewish resettlement of the Holy Land in the late nineteenth century laid the foundations of the State of Israel. But what were the key elements of that process, and who implemented it? What did the new enterprise look like, and what was its significance? These important yet often poorly understood issues are reconstructed and analyzed in this unique study. Ran Aaronsohn provides fresh insight into the role played by Baron Edmond de Rothschild through his many and diverse agents (Othe administrationO) in the Jewish settlement movement and places the endeavor in global perspective by comparing it to the phenomenon of colonization throughout the world. The author draws upon a wide array of sources_including primary archival material from Israel and France_and illustrates his narrative with maps and historical photos to create a richly detailed picture of a crucial period in Jewish history.

Chapter 1 Introduction: On Colonization: Some Theoretical and Practical Aspects
Part 2 Part I: Baron Rothschild and the Jewish Colonies: Stages of Involvement
Chapter 3 The Pre-Rothschild Years—Sporadic Development
Chapter 4 First Overtures, 1882–1883
Chapter 5 Deepening Ties, 1883–1887
Chapter 6 A Relationship Solidified, 1887–1890
Part 7 Part II: The Rothschild Administration, Action and Impact
Chapter 8 Responsibilities of the Administration
Chapter 9 Administrators and Clerks
Chapter 10 Agronomists and Technicians
Chapter 11 Communal Workers
Chapter 12 Other Employees
Part 13 Part III: The Jewish Colonies in 1890: The Mark of the Baron
Chapter 14 The End of a Decade
Chapter 15 Layout and Architecture
Chapter 16 Farm and Economy
Chapter 17 Society and Culture
Chapter 18 Epilogue: Early Jewish Colonization: Figures and Features