 Tensions are fueled by Muslim perspective that non-Muslims are providing wedge allowing the infiltration of European powers into Muslim lands (Farah 731)

 Reports regarding death toll: Figures vary  7000 – 20,000 +  5000 widowed  16,000 orphaned  Destruction: villages churches - 28 colleges - 42 convents - 100,000 refugees - 3,000 homes burnt to the ground - 4,000 die in aftermath

 International Commission of GB, FR, Austria, Prussia, & the Ottoman Empire  Conclude that the improper partitioning of Lebanon was cause (non-pragmatic/impractical given inter-mixture)  Under European pressure, mainly from France, an Ottoman edict is issued in 1861 (effective in 1864)  Essentially, foreign nations, in part, redesign Ottoman political structure  The “Eastern Question” begins to be answered

 Mount Lebanon Mutesarrifiyyet is born  What is a Mutesarrifiyyet? - semi autonomous nation within a nation - A “domestic independent nation” (not unlike a the US reservation system, or better, what was Indian Territory in modern day Oklahoma) - governed by the Mutesarrif (intermediary/ governor between multi-ethnic/multi religious Mt. Lebanon communities)

 4 Maronite  3 Druze  2 Greek Orthodox  1 Greek Catholic  Strangely, Druze were only 10% of the population

 Representatives undertake taxation  Advise Mutasarriff  Mutasarriff Sultan Mutasarriff Sectarian Administrative Councils NON-LEBANESE & CHRISTIAN

Not all of present day Lebanon is part of Mutesariffiyya - Areas excluded: Beirut, Biqa, Tripoli, Sidon - Ottomans adopt this structure throughout the empire - Foreign influence/control strengthened - GB and France become protectors of Druze and Maronites, respectively

 The economy dominated by silk production (French-owned and local factories)  The Maronite Church was on path to become the owner of one third of the agricultural land in Mount Lebanon.  Unrest created widespread emigration

 Demography change:  Increasing emigration to North and South America, Egypt and Sudan (100,000 between ).  Maronite middle class started to say they wanted to incorporate Beirut and other areas into Mount Lebanon, so as to improve the economy, thus absorbing labour surplus that was being lost by emigration.

 By 1914, Mutasarrifiyya was abolished and the Ottomans appointed their own Muslim Governor.  1918: Anglo-French and Arab forces created Greater Lebanon out of Syria and Lebanon.  1920 French mandate over Greater Lebanon declared. Muslims were now half of the population. 

 1926: New constitution for the Republic of Lebanon, but the French High Commissioner retained the main authority until 1943

 Lebanon Independence declared  Lebanese Independence Day – November 22nd