The Taste of Freedom

Lebanon came within grasp of its complete independence from the Ottoman Empire several times, but couldn’t quite pull through.  The Ottomans did whatever they thought was necessary to prevent Lebanon from gaining their independence. Under Druze leader Fakhr EdDine II, Lebanon’s attempt on gaining complete independence lasted seven years (16).  Lebanon’s struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire wouldn’t have been as effective if it weren’t for the smart tactics of Fakhr EdDine II and the unity created by all the religions.

            Fakhr EdDine II wanted complete independence from the Ottoman Empire. He realized that he couldn’t overcome them on his own; therefore he made close ties with the Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II (17). The Ottoman Empire figured out his scheme and exiled him. Fakhr EdDine II fled to Italy and was welcomed by Cosimo II. The Duke of Tuscany was also interested in weakening the power of the Ottoman Empire.  Fakhr EdDine planned his exile wisely. While he was asking for aid from the Duke of Tuscany, his enemies’ reigns would end and he would return to Lebanon and sort out the mess. After five years, the Harfouch family betrayed EdDine II, allying with Mustafa Pasha, Mirmiran of Damascus (18). Although outnumbered, Fakhr EdDine II was determined for retaliation on the Ottoman Empire. The Lebanese Army defeated Mustafa Pasha at the Battle of Anjar in 1623 (19). The Ottomans weren’t happy with how Fakhr EdDine was gaining authority and ordered Kuchuk Ahmed Pasha, the Muhafiz of Damascus to attack EdDine II. The Druze leader decided to stay and defend Lebanon, but it ended up in a significant defeat. He witnessed his son Emir Ali Beg die in combat and was soon captured and brought to Constantinople where he was executed (20).

            During 1841, disputes between Maronite Christians and the Druze exploded. Violence broke out between the two religions which included a massacre of the Christians by the Druze at Deir Al Qamar (21). Any survivors were slaughtered by the Ottomans. The Maronite Christians revolted against the feudal classes and it lasted all up until 1858. After two years, a sectarian war broke out in 1860. The Maronite Christians were aided by the French and the British, while the Druze were supported by the Ottomans. The Druze created a military campaign of burning and massacring the Maronite Christians (22).  The Congress of Europe interfered just before a near victory for the Druze, and halted all actions. The Maronite Christians were given a mountainous district that was isolated from the Bekaa and Beirut (23). Poverty began to rapidly grow and an estimated 4,000 died and 100,000 became homeless (24). Realizing this crisis, all the religions decided to unite together to form a better Lebanon politically, economically, and socially. Aside from the hate for one another, they were unselfish and agreed on forming one Lebanese community.

The Ottoman Empire ended after World War I and the League of Nations approved the scripts of the French Mandate for Lebanon and Syria (25). The French had the responsibility of building a foundation for Lebanon to become a self-relying country (26). The Maronite Christians were pro-French and liked the idea. They were the more favored group during the French rule. Most of Lebanon was formed by Christians and Muslims who were against the French rule and an independent Lebanon. They wanted a complete Arab state.

The constitution of 1926 stated that each religion should be represented in the office (27). The president would be Maronite, the prime minister Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the chamber a Shi’ite Muslim. A Franco-Lebanese treaty was signed that gave independence and friendship between the two countries, but the French government didn’t approve (28). The fall of France occurred in 1940 and Lebanon was run under the Vichy authorities, but British and French troops still held positions in Lebanon (29). In 1943, the French troops held an election and the Nationalists were victorious. Their leader Bishara al-Khuri wanted to erase all French influence. The French were furious and arrested the government. They rebuilt the government and Lebanon gained its independence on November 22, 1943 (30). Even though Lebanon was independent, it wasn’t until the end of 1946 when British and French troops agreed on withdrawal. By this time, Lebanon had become a part of the United Nations and the Arab League (31).