British Uganda Programme facts for kids

The British Uganda Programme was a plan by the British government to offer a piece of land in East Africa to Jewish people. This land was meant to be a safe home for Jewish people, especially those facing difficult times and attacks in Russia.

The idea was first suggested in 1903 by Joseph Chamberlain, who was a British government official. He offered about 5,000 square kilometers of land in the Mau Plateau area of what is now Kenya. He made this offer to Theodor Herzl's group, which supported the idea of Jewish people having their own homeland. This movement was called Zionism.

The plan was discussed at a big meeting called the Zionist Congress. This was their sixth meeting, held in Basel, Switzerland, in 1903. Many people at the meeting had strong feelings about the offer. Some thought it was a good idea, while others disagreed. After much debate, the plan was approved by a vote of 295 to 177.

Why the Plan Didn't Work Out

The land offered in the Mau Plateau was high up, which meant it had a cooler temperature. This might have seemed good for people from Europe. However, the area was also home to many dangerous animals, including lions. Because of these challenges, the Zionist group politely turned down the offer for the land. They decided it was not the right place for a Jewish homeland.

Images for kids

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  A report from Die Welt newspaper about Lord Cromer supporting the Uganda plan.

See also

In Spanish: Programa para la Uganda Británica para niños