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The predecessor of Haganah was the Ha-Shomer (Guild of Watchman) established in 1909. It was a small group of Jewish immigrants who guarded settlements for an annual fee. At no time did the group have more than 100 members.
The Arab riots of 1920 and 1921 made it clear to the Jewish leadership that they couldn't rely upon the British authorities for protection. Ha-Shomer was not enough, and in June 1920 it was disbanded and the more centralized and organized Haganah formed.
During its first nine relatively quiet years, the Haganah was a loose organization of local defense groups in the large towns and in several of the settlements. Led by Yisrael Galili , the Haganah was mainly a civilian organization, fully subjugated to civilian leadership and heavily influenced by the Histadrut.
Following the Arab riots of 1929, that left 133 Jews dead, Haganah's role changed dramatically. It became a much larger organization encompassing nearly all the youths and adults in the settlements, as well as thousands of members from the cities. It also acquired foreign arms and begun to develop workshops to create hand grenades and simple military equipment. It went from being an untrained militia to a capable army.
In 1936Events January-February January 15 The first building to be completely covered in glass is completed in Toledo, Ohio, for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. January 20 Death of George V of the United Kingdom. His son Edward VIII succeedes him as King of th the Haganah fielded 10,000 mobilized men along with 40,000 reservists. During the Great UprisingIn 1936, the Arab leadership in the British Mandate of Palestine, led by Haj Amin al-Husayni, declared a general strike to protest the demographic and otherwise impact brought by Jewish immigration to Palestine. The strike rapidly deteriorated into a viol 1936Events January-February January 15 The first building to be completely covered in glass is completed in Toledo, Ohio, for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. January 20 Death of George V of the United Kingdom. His son Edward VIII succeedes him as King of th- 1939Events January-June January 2 End of term for Frank Finley Merriam, 28th Governor of California. He is succeeded by Culbert Levy Olson. January 24 Earthquake kills 30. 000 in Chile about 50. 000 sq mi razed January 26 Falangists take Barcelona January 26, it participated actively to protect British interests and to quell Arab insurgence. Although the British administration didn't officially recognize the Haganah the British Security Forces cooperated with it by forming the Jewish Settlement Police , Jewish Auxiliary Forces and Special Night Squads . The battle experience gained in the Great Uprising was to become very useful in the Palestine war 1947Events January January 1 British mines nationalized January 1 Nigeria gains limited autonomy January 1 The Canadian Citizenship Act went into effect January 3 Proceedings of the United States Congress are televised for the first time. January 10 United Na- 19491949 is the common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 4 RMS Caronia of the Cunard Line departs Southampton for New York on her maiden voyage January 4 February 22 Series of winter storms in Nebraska, Wyoming,.
In 1937Events January January 1 Anastasio Somoza becomes President of Nicaragua January 11 The first issue of Look magazine goes on sale in the United States. January 19 Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City in 7 hours,, the most right-wing elements of Haganah branched off for the second time and formed Irgun Zvai-Leumi, more known as just " Irgun". They were discontent with the policy of restraint when faced with British and Arab pressure. Irgun and their off-branch the Stern gang was to become renowned for their clandestine combat methods.
To appease the Arabs, the British severely restricted immigration to Palestine in 1939. In response, Haganah started to organize illegal immigration and demonstrations against Britain. It set up the "Organization for Illegal Immigration", Aliyah Bet , which worked through bases in Switzerland and Turkey.