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Paul and TeddyBear as I said before, and wikipedia confirms:
Causes of the Emergence of Zionism
See also: History of the Jews in Russia and the Soviet Union
Zionism arose out of a combination of factors, it was a nationalist ideology, a response to anti-Semitism, an attempt to provide a means of escape from what many Jews saw as unceasing Christian persecution and also an alternative to assimilation, Bolshevism and conversion.
Jews in growing numbers began to perceive themselves as a "nation" in the new European sense and were inspired by various national struggles. If European nations were entitled to a homeland, and if they excluded Jews, why not create a Jewish homeland, where Jews would be free of persecution?
Jews in Eastern Europe faced constant pogroms and persecution in Tzarist Russia aimed at driving them out. In response to the Jewish drive for modern education (Haskalah) the Tzars imposed tight quotas on schools, universities and cities to prevent entry by Jews, the government deliberately organized pogroms with military authorities disarming any Jews who attempted to defend themselves. Consequently, between 1880 and 1928, two million Jews left Eastern Europe, mostly for the USA. A minority went to Palestine. By 1928 nations were increasingly legislating to prevent Jews from entering, particularly in the wake of the Bolshevik revolution in which Jews were seen as playing a prominent role. Many countries feared that immigrating Jews would bring revolutionary ideas with them.
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