Lebanese Migration to the Americas: Causes and Socioeconomic Impacts (1890–1930)
Abstract
The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a significant wave of migration from Lebanon to the Americas, a movement that profoundly shaped the socioeconomic trajectories of both the homeland and the host countries. migration coincided with repressive Ottoman rule, economic crises, the Great Famine, and compulsory military conscription conditions that worsened under the French Mandate. Despite promises of reform, post-war policies continued to stimulate outward migration. While numerous accounts describe the diaspora’s success abroad, limited academic focus has been placed on the integrated causes, migration routes, and long-term impacts on both Lebanon and the Americas during 1890–1930. This study aims to explore the drivers, patterns, and socioeconomic consequences of Lebanese migration, examining how geopolitical, economic, and social factors intersected to produce mass displacement. The findings show that Lebanese migrants, though fleeing hardship, became economically active in trade and small industries, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, the United States, and Mexico. Remittances uplifted the Lebanese economy, yet mass emigration also caused labor shortages and social restructuring. In host societies, Lebanese communities established cultural institutions that preserved their identity while facilitating integration. By integrating historical, economic, and cultural analysis, the research uncovers the dual impact of migration as a source of resilience and transformation for Lebanon and its diaspora. Understanding this migration offers insights into current diasporic dynamics, highlighting the importance of migration networks, remittances, and cultural continuity in shaping transnational societies.
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