Lebanese Immigration at the End of the Ottoman Era 1840 - 1918
Main Article Content
Abstract
The paper focusses on "Lebanese migration in the late Ottoman era until the end of World War I" and examines the phenomena of Lebanese migration, which increased significantly during this time. The primary causes for migration were several, including harsh economic circumstances caused by the loss of agriculture and industry, as well as political upheaval that followed the Ottoman state's decline. The Mount Lebanon area has seen escalating issues as a result of government corruption, an excessive tax system, and sectarian conflicts amongst religious groups. These crises coincided with a significant economic downturn, as agriculture and industry were badly impacted, leaving many people without enough work possibilities and living standards. The sectarian element was important in the forcible relocation of Lebanese sects, as were the events of World War I, which had a significant influence on Lebanese migration overseas.
Lebanese migrants travelled to several countries, including the Americas, Africa, and Europe. Expatriates helped the Lebanese economy by sending remittances, and they were also involved in building Lebanese communities overseas, preserving their cultural identity. Despite the difficulties they had in their host nations, many were able to thrive and build significant enterprises. The study indicates that the exodus has far-reaching consequences for Lebanese society, both economically and socially.
Metrics
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Aref Al-Abed, Lebanon and Taif: A Historical Intersection and an Incomplete Path, Center for Arab Unity Studies, Beirut, 2001.
The economic and financial crisis of the Ottoman Empire cast its shadow on the economic situation in the Levant, and the Levantine economy witnessed a noticeable deterioration that affected various aspects of economic activity. For more, see: Wajih Kawtharani, Authority, Society and Political Work, from the History of the Ottoman State in the Levant, Beirut, Center for Arab Unity Studies, 1988.
https://www.google.com/search?q, accessed on 8/13/2023.
https://www.yabeyrouth.com/, accessed on 6/26/2023.
Asaad Germanos, The Origins of Political Maronitism, Dar Al-Murad, n.d., 1996, p. 19; Nasri Salhab, The Historical Reasons for Maronite Frustration, Bissan Publishing and Distribution, 2000, p. 24. 6. Asmaa Katrousi and Sanaa Omran, Lebanese Society under the French Mandate 1920-1946, Master's Thesis (unpublished), University of Jilani Bounaama - Khemis Miliana, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Algeria, 2016,
Iman Kamil Merdas, Lebanese Migration to the Emirate of Dubai 1971-2003 Historical, Economic and Social Dimensions, Master's Thesis (unpublished), Beirut Arab University, Beirut, 2008.
Boutros Labaki, Lebanese Migration 1850-2018 Early Globalization Paths, Dar Saer Al-Mashreq, Beirut, 2019.
Paul Tabar and Wahib Maalouf, Migration and the Formation of Political Elites in Lebanon, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Beirut, 2021.
Paul Noujaim, The Question of Lebanon, Biban and Partners Press, Jounieh, Lebanon, 1961, 2nd ed.
George Antonius, The Arab Awakening: History of the Arab Nationalist Movement, translated by Nasser Al-Din Al-Assad, Dar Al-Ilm Lil-Malayin, Beirut, 8th ed., 1987.
Habib Al-Badawi, History of Immigration to the United States of America: The Lebanese as a Model, Immigration and Place: Problems and Challenges, Publications of the Lebanese University, Beirut, 2021.
Zainab Talat Shihab, Immigration and Lebanese Societal Values: Salvation or Exhaustion?, Al-Hadatha Magazine, Issue 189-190, Lebanon, 2018.
Saad Al-Atat, External Immigration and Lebanese Expansion in the World, National Defense Magazine, Issue 38, Lebanon, 2001.
Saeed Hamadeh, The Monetary and Banking System in Syria, translated by: Steele Damous, Beirut, 1936.
Suleiman Al-Bustani, The Ottoman State Before and After the Constitution, Dar Al-Tali’a, Beirut, 1978.
Samir Kassir, History of Beirut, Dar Al-Nahar Publishing, 3rd ed., Beirut, 2009.
Charles Issaoui, The Economic History of the Fertile Crescent 1800-1914, Publications of the Center for Arab Unity Studies, Beirut, 1990.
Talal Atrissi, The Jesuit Missions: The Mission of Preparing the Political Elite in Lebanon, The World Distribution Agency, n.d., 1987.
Abdel Wahid Ikmir, The Arabs in Argentina, Center for Arab Unity Studies, Beirut, 2000.
Abdel Wahid Ikmir, the previous source, p. 55; Al-Watan Newspaper, December 27, 2021.
Attia Masaher Hamad, The Lebanese Immigrant and His Impact on the External Community until 1990, Journal of Historical and Civilizational Studies, Volume 11, Issue 46, Part 2, 2020.
Ali Moati, The Political and Social History of Lebanon: A Study of Arab-Turkish Relations 1908-1918, Ezz El-Din Foundation for Printing and Publishing, Beirut, Lebanon, 1993.
Imad Hamad Saleh Abdel Halim Al-Jabouri, Britain’s Position on the Unionists’ Coup in the Ottoman Empire 1908-1909, Master’s Thesis (unpublished), University of Baghdad, College of Arts, 2006,
Omar Abdel Aziz Omar, Modern History of Lebanon 1516-1915 AD, Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, Beirut, 1981 AD.
Omar Al-Sharif Farhi, Brokerage Contract, Master's Thesis (Unpublished), University of Arab Ben M'hidi, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Algeria, 2015.
Issa Iskandar Maalouf, City of Zahle, Hindawi Foundation, United Kingdom, 2014.
Gaston de Cosso, Silk Industry in Syria and Lebanon, Catholic Press, Beirut, 1913.
Ghanem Samia, Ottoman Policy in the Levant 1876-1916, Master's Thesis (Unpublished), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mohamed Khider, Algeria, 2015.
Farouk Faeq Hussein Shomal Al-Obaidi, The Role of Graduates of the American University of Beirut in Spreading Arab Nationalist Thought (1935-1971), Master's Thesis (Unpublished), Tikrit University, Faculty of Arts, 2020.
Faisal Muhammad Al-Rahim, The Development of Iraq under the Rule of the Federalists (1908-1914 AD), Al-Jumhuriya Press, Mosul, 1975 AD.
Qais Faisal Hussein Shomal Al-Ubaidi, Migration and Displacement and Their Impact on the Internal Conditions in Lebanon 1920-1975, Master's Thesis (unpublished), Tikrit University, College of Arts, 2023.
Lahad Khater, The Era of the Mutasarrifs in Lebanon 1861-1981, Beirut 1967.
Abdul Wahhab Al-Kayali, The Political Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, Arab Foundation for Studies and Publishing, Beirut, n.d.
Maher Muhammad Saeed Darwish, The Migration of the Levantines to Egypt during the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century and the Beginning of the Twentieth Century, Master’s Thesis (unpublished), An-Najah National University, College of Graduate Studies, Nablus, Palestine, 2003.
Mohsena Sarhan, Migration and the South from Deprivation to Boom, Dar Al-Farabi, Beirut, Lebanon, 2015.
Mahmoud Saleh Saeed Abdullah, Ottoman Policy Towards the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate 1861-1918, Master’s Thesis (unpublished), College of Arts, University of Mosul, 2003.
Masoud Zaher, Lebanese Migration to Egypt (Lebanese Migration), Al-Sharqiya Library, Beirut, 1986.
Masoud Zaher, Social History of Lebanon 1914-1926, Dar Al-Farabi, Beirut, 1974.
Masoud Zaher, The Future of Culture in Lebanon, Al-Arabi Magazine, Issue 686, January 2016, Kuwait.
Mawahib Ma'rouf Salem Al-Jabouri, Jamal Pasha, His Life and Political Role, Master's Thesis (unpublished), College of Education for Girls, University of Baghdad, 2004, pp. 1-2; Saleh Al-Jasser, Figures in the Assassination Circle, Al-Khalidi Offset Printing Press, Riyadh, 1991.
Hadi Jabbar Hassoun, Khedive Ismail and his Administrative and Political Role 1853-1879, Master’s Thesis (unpublished), University of Diyala, College of Education, 2005.