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1/Thread: Lebanese emigration 1860-1929
Today Lebanon is faced with the threat of massive emigration. This is very reminiscent of the second wave of emigration from Mount Lebanon post WW1. Emigration driven by a deadly economic situation.
Today Lebanon is faced with the threat of massive emigration. This is very reminiscent of the second wave of emigration from Mount Lebanon post WW1. Emigration driven by a deadly economic situation.
2/Following the internal conflict of 1860, Mount Lebanon was put under the Mutasarifiya rule.
Governed by an administrative council with a big margin of autonomy from Istanbul. The Mutasarif had a lot of power and could veto tax raises for example.
Governed by an administrative council with a big margin of autonomy from Istanbul. The Mutasarif had a lot of power and could veto tax raises for example.
3/Mutasarifiya signaled a departure from Feudalism into a modern political structure. Mount Lebanon experienced an economical & social boom from 1861-1914.
Foreign missionaries introduced vaccination and educational institutions that led to a bigger and more educated population.
Foreign missionaries introduced vaccination and educational institutions that led to a bigger and more educated population.
4/During that period, Mount Lebanon was a haven in the Ottoman Empire. The inhabitants paid less taxes, enjoyed individual rights and social security that didn’t exist in neighboring provinces
Photo: 1885 report from Russian consul in Beirut, Constantin Dimitrievich Petkovich:
Photo: 1885 report from Russian consul in Beirut, Constantin Dimitrievich Petkovich:
5/Despite the excellent conditions in Mount Lebanon, many factors pushed a lot of its inhabitants into emigration.
By 1880, limited opportunities compared to the available skilled force drove many unskilled single males into emigration, particularly to the new world.
By 1880, limited opportunities compared to the available skilled force drove many unskilled single males into emigration, particularly to the new world.
6/In 1890 the booming silk industry which accounted for 60% of Mount-Lebanon’s GDP took a hit from Cheaper and higher quality Chinese Silk.
The industry collapsed and many Silk Makers who had taken huge loans were in ruins. This pushed further Lebanese into emigration.
The industry collapsed and many Silk Makers who had taken huge loans were in ruins. This pushed further Lebanese into emigration.
7/Many inhabitants, who had immigrated, returned to Mount Lebanon with significant wealth.
This motivated many inhabitants to try their luck in the new world.
This motivated many inhabitants to try their luck in the new world.
8/In the case of Jabal Amel and provinces outside Mount Lebanon, emigration was fueled by heavy taxes and lack of individual rights.
Many sought also to escape conscription in the Ottoman Army. The inhabitants of Mount Lebanon were exempt.
Many sought also to escape conscription in the Ottoman Army. The inhabitants of Mount Lebanon were exempt.
9/Close to 45% of Mount Lebanon’s population is said to have emigrated between 1860 and 1914.
10/From 1915-1918 Mount Lebanon faced a sea blockade by the British & so emigration was not possible during that period.
Following the famine #kafno, a second wave of emigration started in 1918. This wave was halted following the world economic crisis of 1929 (great depression)
Following the famine #kafno, a second wave of emigration started in 1918. This wave was halted following the world economic crisis of 1929 (great depression)
11/Of course Emigration is a double edged sword.
On one side you loose skilled and able human capital which leads to a slower economic and social development.
On the other hand, many of the emigrants will remit large sums of money to their homeland.
On one side you loose skilled and able human capital which leads to a slower economic and social development.
On the other hand, many of the emigrants will remit large sums of money to their homeland.
12/The risk today is that the new wave of emigration might be detrimental to the future of Lebanon.
