Worl Agudath Israel (The World Jewish Union), usually known as the Aguda, was established in the early twentieth century as the political arm of Ashkenazi Torah Judaism, in succession to Agudas Shlumei Emunei Yisroel (Union of Faithful Jewry). Its strong base of support was located in Eastern Europe before the Second World War but due to the revival of the Hasidic movement it included Orthodox Jews throughout Europe.