How and why the First Wave Occurred
1
As Always – Historians Disagree First Wave 1884 - 1914
Second Wave 1924 – 1939 Third Wave 1975 - Present
2
Who Were These People? The vast majority were Christians. Maronites Orthodox
Occupations? Maronites were farmers and laborers Orthodox were from the trades and
merchant class.
3
• Population increased • The “Long Peace” • No war subtractions
- An Urban Myth – “They left to escape religious persecution”
• The rush to sericulture • Consequent need for Mulberry trees • Compromised food
production
• Deficit of arable land • Food became scarce 4
The outflow picked up speed in mid-1880s
In line with population & poverty increases Steamship agents encouraged them Simsars played a role Others waited for the Availability of Funds Chain migration effect
Ottomans Periodically Restricted Emigration It gave the Empire a bad name Destitute emigrants “bad mouthed” Empire Lebanese were undeterred Black market activity Some actually stowed away 5
Original borders were
defined in 1864 Réglement gave them Christian governor
Gendarmerie Lower taxes Conscription exemption 6
7
Major US Ports that Received Immigrants
Boston Philadelphia New York New Orleans
The Vast Majority went through – Ellis Island in NYC
Started in 1892-97 when fire called a halt Resumed in 1902 In 1907 12,000 processed in one day After WWI 500,000 immigrants processed - 1919
8
9
10
Abdoo Kmeid
Maroun & Wife Sophia “The Patriarch” 11
There were nearly 30 Families from the Same Village Bqaatouta, Kesrouan Kmeids Astafans Ablan Akiki Abbass Sabagh Elhage Solomon Doobee Betrus Tanoury Charles Kalimi Mansour Younis Moses Saad Rizk Ferris Mobarak Nearly all went into business for themselves There were 10 corner grocery stores at the same time Along with liquor store, meat market, dry goods, restaurant and bar & grill
12
Peddlers Grocery Stores Produce Markets
Carthage Lebanese in 1910
Liquor Store Bar & Grill
1313 Meat Market
A Problem Immigrants Faced Shortage Of Eligible Women for Marriage Many returned To fetch brides They dressed like
Westerners The peasant girls weren’t as attractive
14
Characteristics observed
Distrustful of government Overly suspicious Haggle & bargain Most were very frugal
Study of occupations Most were farmers & laborers Yet a majority went into business for
themselves Prized their independence 15
The Lebanese immigrant experience is not much
different from other Mediterranean people The principal reason for leaving was rampant poverty Christians were more readily accepted in the West
Lebanese have a few peculiar characteristics Due largely to their Middle Eastern culture
The Lebanese Maronite migration was facilitated by
their “Westernized” French exposure
16
Kisses from a Distance A short promotional video
Raff Ellis - Kisses from a Distance
17