Abstract

This thesis examines documents from the US department of State relating to the Internal Affairs of Turkey in the years of 1918-1922, to answer questions pertaining to French imperial policy directed toward minority groups in French Mandate Syria, which included present-day nations of Lebanon and Syria. Of the many minority groups present in French Mandate Syria, I chose to examine the Maronite, Druze, Alawi, Eastern Christian, and Armenian communities because of their significant role in the state-building of Syria and Lebanon. By using documents originating from US diplomats, this thesis attempts to present the United States’ view on these imperial policies. In the formation of this perspective, the thesis asks some of the following questions: What were the effects of French imperial policies on Syrian minorities? And how did French imperial policy regarding minorities shape French Syrian society as a whole? To answer these questions as completely as possible, I supplemented the archival sources with material from significant scholars in Levantine and broader Mid-East history, like Albert Hourani and Yaron Friedman. My research suggests that policies pursued had a negative impact on all of the minorities but to a lesser extent for the Maronites, and other Christians. It also suggests that French imperial policy led to the creation of a violent society but steps could have been taken to produce a more peaceful outcome. The final goal of this thesis is to provide the historical narratives of the minority groups with an additional perspective, that of the US diplomats throughout the region.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2015

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Ozoglu, Hakan

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

History

Subjects

Arts and Humanities -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Humanities

Format

PDF

Identifier

CFH0004830

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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