R.R.,
I would say that World War II (especially the Holocaust and the numerous refugees it produced) was far more the reason for Israel becoming a nation in 1948 than anything the Zionists repatriations (beginning in 1878) ever accomplished.
I thought we were talking about 1878 in relation to Israel.
I'm very well aware of the promulgations Russell made for 1878 including that Christ had been exercising his kingly power since that date and that the resurrection had then begun. Also, that the Babylon of Revelation had fallen that year. But I fail to see where he predicted anything for Israel in that year.