Sixth Zionist Congress

Theodor Herzl caused great division amongst the delegates when he presented the "Uganda Scheme", a proposed Jewish colony in what is now part of Kenya.

He envisioned a mass migration of Jewish people "on a very large scale"[3] to Palestine and that the colony should be "secured by public law".

[7] In August Herzl, without consulting the Zionist leadership in the Pale of Settlement,[8] journeyed to Saint Petersburg, where he had two meetings with Vyacheslav von Plehve, Czarist Minister of the Interior, regarded by many as responsible for the Kishinev atrocities.

Von Plehve responded positively to the idea of mass emigration of Jews "without right of re-entry"[9] but wanted help in suppressing Jewish revolutionary activity.

[10] At the same time, nine days before the Congress, on his journey from St Petersburgh to Basel, Herzl received official confirmation of the British Government's endorsement of a proposal for a Jewish self-governing colony in East Africa.

His critics in the committee doubted von Plehve's promises of support and argued that the content of letter should not be revealed to the Congress.

"[13] The committee met again the following evening and, against strong opposition, Herzl had the Uganda Scheme made the centre piece of the Congress proceedings.

[14][15] Herzl's diary entry for August 22 ended: "Not a single moment did it occur to any of them that of these greatest of all accomplishments to date I deserve a word of thanks, or even a smile.

[...] I do not doubt that the Congress will welcome the new offer with the warmest gratitude.”[16] Despite receiving “tumultuous” applause there was serious opposition to the Uganda Scheme, particularly from the 113 delegates from the Tzarist Empire.

[20][13] With the probability of rejection of any motion accepting the Uganda Scheme a proposal was presented to the delegates to send a fact finding mission to Africa.

[21][24] Amongst those supporting the Uganda Scheme was Israel Zangwill who feared a colony in Palestine would lead to an Orthodox revival “precluding modernity”.

Chaim Weizmann, one of the most outspoken of the new generation of Zionists, gave a “violent speech” against, whereas his father and brother, who were also delegates, were in favour.