The American Roots of Israel

When the Vilna Gaon (d. 1797) read the American Constitution, he was convinced that the redemption was beginning.  Article 6 states that there be no religious test to hold office in the US.  This meant that Jews were full and equal citizens of the country.  This was unheard of before then.  The Zionist movement can be traced to the Vilna Gaon's understanding of US Constitution.