1886 - Rise of Zionism Theodore Herzl publishes his book "The Jewish State" and a year later the First Zionist Congress is held in Basel, Switzerland. Jewish immigration to Palestine begins to increase as Zionist ideas widely permeate the thinking of European Jewry, and wealthy European Jewish benefactors invest in new colonies in Palestine. Immigration also is bolstered by increased persecution of Jews in Europe and the improved status of non-Moslem groups in Palestine in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire, and increased trade with Europe. New Christian mission churches, schools and monasteries are also established towards the end of this period in Palestine, bolstering the status of the local Christian Arab population. 8000-4000 BCE 3000-1200 BCE 1700 1200-600 BCE 587-332 BCE 520 BCE 332-63 BCE 166 BCE 63-324 CE 6-3 BCE 66 CE 68 CE 132-135 CE 135-324 CE 324-638 CE 614 CE 638-1099 CE 1099-1291 CE 1291-1917 CE 1492 1517 1886 1918-1948 1948 1950-67 1968-1988 1974 1977 1982 1993 2000