Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 1 The British…
Full specification wording
Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 1 The British withdrawal and the creation of Israel: Key events leading to the end of the British Mandate, partition and the creation of Israel, including the significance of the bombing of the King David Hotel and UN Resolution 181.
The end of the British Mandate and the creation of Israel were driven by escalating violence and international pressure.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The end of the British Mandate and the creation of Israel were driven by escalating violence and international pressure. A pivotal event was the July 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel by the Irgun, targeting British administrative headquarters. This attack killed 91 people and weakened British resolve, highlighting the unsustainable cost of maintaining the Mandate. Consequently, Britain referred the issue to the United Nations. This led to UN Resolution 181 in November 1947, recommending the partition of Palestine into independent Arab and Jewish states. The Jewish Agency accepted the resolution, but Arab leaders rejected it. As British forces withdrew, David Ben-Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948, triggering war.
What earns the marks
- The bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946 demonstrated the intensity of Jewish paramilitary opposition and accelerated the British decision to withdraw.
- Britain's inability to maintain order and the financial strain of the Mandate led them to hand the problem to the United Nations in 1947.
- UN Resolution 181 proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, providing international legal backing for a Jewish state.
- The declaration of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948 occurred as the British Mandate officially expired, leading immediately to armed conflict.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the UN partition plan with the actual borders of Israel after 1949.
Put it right: Clarify that Resolution 181 was a proposal that was never fully implemented due to the ensuing war.
Stating that the British supported the creation of Israel in 1948.
Put it right: Explain that Britain abstained from the UN vote and withdrew without facilitating a handover of power.
Attributing the King David Hotel bombing to the Haganah.
Put it right: Ensure it is correctly attributed to the more radical Irgun.
Exam tips
- When discussing the King David Hotel bombing, focus on its significance in breaking British resolve rather than just describing the event.
- Clearly explain the terms of UN Resolution 181, including the proposed international status of Jerusalem, to show detailed knowledge.
- Link the British withdrawal directly to the timing of the declaration of the State of Israel.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 1 The British withdrawal and the creation of Israel: Key events leading to the end of the British Mandate, partition and the creation of Israel, including the significance of the bombing of the King David Hotel and UN Resolution 181. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the significance of the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946?
Listen
The end of the British Mandate and the creation of Israel were driven by escalating violence and international pressure. A pivotal event was the July 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel by the Irgun, targeting British administrative headquarters. This attack killed 91 people and weakened British resolve, highlighting the unsustainable cost of maintaining the Mandate. Consequently, Britain referred the issue to the United Nations. This led to UN Resolution 181 in November 1947, recommending the partition of Palestine into independent Arab and Jewish states. The Jewish Agency accepted the resolution, but Arab leaders rejected it. As British forces withdrew, David Ben-Gurion declared the creation of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948, triggering war. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946 demonstrated the intensity of Jewish paramilitary opposition and accelerated the British decision to withdraw. Britain's inability to maintain order and the financial strain of the Mandate led them to hand the problem to the United Nations in 1947. UN Resolution 181 proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, providing international legal backing for a Jewish state. The declaration of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948 occurred as the British Mandate officially expired, leading immediately to armed conflict. Exam tip: When discussing the King David Hotel bombing, focus on its significance in breaking British resolve rather than just describing the event.
See it
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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