The First Palestinian Uprising

The First Palestinian Uprising

From History As It Happens by Martin Di Caro

May 8, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the Great Revolt of 1936-1939 in Palestine and its implications for the Palestinian national movement.

Subscribe now for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content! A decade before the state of Israel was born, a revolt rocked the British mandate of Palestine. It was an uprising of Arab peasants directed at their colonial overlords, Zionist immigrants, and Arab elites. The Great Revolt of 1936-1939 nearly succeeded before it was crushed by overwhelming force, a setback from which the Palestinian national movement never truly recovered. When you listen to this episode, you'll hear its echoes in today's crisis. Our guest is Ted Swedenburg, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Arkansas and author of Memories of Revolt: The 1936–1939 Rebellion and the Palestinian National Past .

People in this episode

Host: Martin Di Caro

Guest: Ted Swedenburg

Topics covered

  • Palestinian Uprising
  • British Mandate
  • Arab Peasants
  • Zionist Immigrants
  • Colonial Overlords
  • National Movement
  • Historical Revolt

Keywords

  • Palestinian Uprising
  • Great Revolt
  • British Mandate
  • Arab Peasants
  • Zionist Immigrants
  • Ted Swedenburg
  • Palestinian National Movement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Arkansas

Books & works: Memories of Revolt: The 1936–1939 Rebellion and the Palestinian National Past

Places: Palestine, Israel

More episodes of History As It Happens

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the History As It Happens podcast page.