1940s-1950s
“Rich and poor alike felt that education was the elixir of national rebirth. The governments of Iran and Egypt were developing huge state universities at Tehran and Cairo. Wealthy families from Mecca and Jiddah were beginning to send their sons to Beirut and the government of Cyprus was reorganizing its system of education along English lines. Many of the Near Eastern countries had sent hundreds of students to Europe and America so as to train them to become experts.”
American University of Beirut. (1939-40). President's annual report. Beirut: p 6 (https://ulib.aub.edu.lb//report-pres-annual/capaub_presannrep_1939-40.pdf)
“With the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire everything changed. The religious community was no longer as important as the race, Nations within geographical boundaries became units of new importance and efforts were made to federate together states, which shared in racial characteristics. The ferment of Pan-Arab union came to the front and was kindled into a zealot movement. The most striking social development of the period between 1918 and 1939 was this nationalism, which eclipsed every other influence in intensity.”
American University of Beirut. (1939-40). President's annual report. Beirut. P 8
World War II affected the region and the University tremendously, entrenching the influence of the French on the country: "on June 8th 1940 the British and Free French troups crossed the frontiers and started their invasion of Lebanon and Syria. After five weeks of unexpectedly severe fighting, an armistice was signed on July 15th and the country was occupied by the Allies. During this period, fifty-five beds in the Hospital were occupied by wounded soldiers, and a score of the ladies of the community used the Faculty Room as a center for the preparation of bandages and other supplies. The nightly bombing in the city was so severe that two dormitory buildings were filled by the families of graduates and members of the Staff, while over a hundred refugees from the city slept beside trenches or crowded into shelters on the campus."
American University of Beirut. (1940-41). President's annual report. Beirut: P 17
On November 11, 1943, several Lebanese dignitaries, including Bechara el-Khoury, Camille Chamoun, Riad el-Solh, Pierre el-Gemayel, were imprisoned by the French Government in Rashaya's tower, in an effort to squash the nascent attempt to create an independent Lebanese State, and end the French Mandate in Lebanon: massive demonstrations took to the streets, including students from AUB, as seen in this photo in front of the Main gate. The demonstrations and social protests which went on over 11 days, forced the French Forces to release the prisoners after 11 days of captivity: November 22nd 1943 is a date now celebrated as Lebanon's National Independence Day.
In 1951, Egypt abrogated the Anglo-Egyptian treaty: throughout the Arab world, students took to the streets, in support of Egypt's decision: "Student strikes were held on campus during October 1951 and were characterized by being one of the most complete strikes in recent years. Practically all students refrained from entering their classes in conformity with the decision of the Student Association Cabinet protesting against the expulsion of student leaders of earlier demonstrations [by the Administration]. The earlier demonstrations were in support of Egypt's abrogation of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. Students were prohibited from leaving campus to join other public-demonstrations in support of Egypt. In spite of the Policemen blockade of AUB campus several groups of students escaped campus and went on Hamra streets in protest.”
American University of Beirut. (1951). Outlook, October 27, 1951, v.5, no. 1, p:1, 4
With so much upheaval, and political strife in the region, with many Arab states seeking to gain their independence, or solidify their governments, students on campus had diverging views, and clashes between various parties seemed inevitable: demonstrations broke out led by the Syrian students against the Student Council and "its interference in the present situation in Syria".
"A petition addressed to President Stephen Penrose, was circulated this week on campus; by Thursday night, 51 students of the Syrian citizenship had signed. The petition reads:
We the Syrian students of the AUB, deny the Student Council the right of interfering in the present situation in Syria and we protest against Urwa's attack on our brave army and its loyal leaders...."
American University of Beirut. (1952). Outlook, January 26, 1952, v.6, no. 1, p:1 &4
March 27, 1954: Protest of the Baghdad Pact, Excerpts: Stephen L. Penrose University Senate Minutes:
"From early morning Saturday strong forces of police and gendarmes took up their stands at the gates of the University. The campus was fairly quiet until 11 o’clock, although the atmosphere was tense… A few minutes before 12 o’clock the procession marched from the Main Gate around the library and then down toward the Medical Gate. This gate had been closed and chained by the security force. When the demonstration arrived near the Social Sciences Building Mr. Thabit Mahayni, President of the Urwat, spoke to the crowds denouncing the alleged attempts of Western powers to bring pressure upon Iraq and the new Pakistan-Turkish Pact, and criticized the Lebanese Government and Mr. Yafi in particular for preventing the students from expressing their protest in public demonstration. Following the speech students proceeded towards the gate and decided to open it by force. The security forces were supported by fire engines and the fire brigade directed the water hoses on the students. A large number of students had carried stones in their pockets and they began to stone the security forces. The security forces were quiet for a little while, contenting themselves with the water that was directed against the students. However, the Fire Department had brought only two trucks of water and they were soon exhausted. The students continued to throw stones and the security forces threw the stones back at them. This lasted for a little while and then the shooting began…There were bullet marks on the iron fence, on the northwest corner of Post Hall, on the west of the Pharmacy Building which produced ricochets. There are bullet marks in trees in front of the Social Sciences Building and on the walls of the Social Sciences Building from knee height to high on the building, proving that live bullets were fired at body height as well as in the air over the heads of the students. [...] Upon investigation at the AUB Hospital we found that 26 injured students reached the Hospital.
American University of Beirut. (2006). Main gate: American University of Beirut quarterly magazine. Beirut, Lebanon: American University of Beirut, Office of Information and Public Relations, v.6, no.3