Sectarianism in Lebanon: Its Roots and Causes Until the Establishment of the Dual Governorship System in 1842

Abstract

         The issue of sectarian conflict in Lebanon has played a significant role in modern and contemporary history due to its profound and challenging consequences for the region in general and Lebanon in particular. This conflict was not a random occurrence but rather a result of political and social accumulations that cast their shadow over Lebanese society. Mount Lebanon became a battleground for colonial powers, which impacted the social fabric, as these powers reinforced reliance on religion and sects for protection, leading to competition between the different sects. This sectarian rivalry coincided with the Ottoman Empire's policy of granting privileges to colonial powers, which allowed them to intervene in Mount Lebanon's affairs and pushed the society into conflict to implement their colonial agendas. Moreover, the Ottoman Empire adopted a specific policy towards Mount Lebanon aimed at dividing the sects and fostering conflict among them to facilitate direct Ottoman control over the region. This was particularly significant since Mount Lebanon had its own system for selecting rulers, independent of the Ottoman government.

        The occupation of Mount Lebanon by Ibrahim Pasha in 1831 further accelerated the sectarian conflict, as he implemented sectarian policies to consolidate his control and simplify governance.

         These factors mentioned above can be considered the key foundations that deepened sectarian conflict in Mount Lebanon, leading the Lebanese society to increasingly isolate itself into sects. This was compounded by Lebanon's complex demographic structure, which included a large number of religions, sects, and ethnic groups. This diversity itself became one of the main roots of sectarian conflict, particularly when we consider that much of the population was subject to feudal control and a class-based system that benefited from societal division to maintain their social standing.

        These foundations and factors played an active and significant role in pushing Lebanese society into sectarian conflict, which the country endured, leading to the imposition by colonial powers on the Ottoman Empire to implement a sectarian policy in Mount Lebanon. This culminated in the introduction of the Dual Governorship System in 1842, which divided Mount Lebanon along sectarian lines, further increasing resentment and internal strife, under the control of both colonial powers and the Ottoman Empire.