The Rise of Nationalism Across the Region
Lebanese National Feelings go strong
“The national feeling has grown very strong at Beirut, but of course it may collapse, as it is such a new thing in a land that has never really known independence. The members of the younger generation are idealistic, but when they get out into life, there is so much corruption that many of them are ruined. We hope that after the war things may settle down, so that there can be a higher standard of conduct and a better chance for our students to develop an honest national life.”
Bayard Dodge Personal Letters, box 8 AA:2.3.4 in AA:2.3.4.8.7: December 3, 1944
Problems rise in Palestine
In the meantime, however, the Near East became upset by other events. Communism spread, as large Russian legations were established in numerous capitals. With the termination of the White Paper, the Jewish question became acute and caused a feeling of panic in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Trans-Jordan, as well as in Palestine itself. The Arab League became actively unified because of this crisis and defended the Arab cause with new vigor.
Arab Nationalism in Syria
The independence promised to Syria was unexpectedly challenged by General de Gaulle, During May and June, 1945, the French insisted upon landing some colonial troops at Beirut against the protests of the local government. Shortly afterwards, when some soldiers gave the appearance of escaping from the French Barracks at Damascus, the Free French officials used it as an occasion to fire off carefully set up guns in many parts of the city. The Arabs retaliated and drove the French out of most of the districts of Syria.
The Arab League
“During the year 1946, Arab chiefs of state have met at Cairo and the leaders of the Arab League have held a conference near Damascus, both gatherings ended with an unexpected amount of esprit de corps. The Arab League has become a reality; strong, determined, united and ready for bold action."
Report of the President of the American University of Beirut for the Eightieth year, 1945-1946: p. 2
"Syria and Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen have their own armies. They are opening up new legations in many capital cities and sending representatives to the U.N. After four hundred years of Ottoman rule and a quarter of a century of European control, the Arabs have attained the independence, which they so earnestly longed for. But everybody seems to realize that this new freedom cannot be a lesson, unless the youth can be given the knowledge and the altruism needed to produce good citizenship. At this critical period in Arab history, a heavy burden of responsibility has fallen upon the schools and colleges of the Arab lands."
Report of the President of the American University of Beirut for the Eightieth year, 1945-1946: p. 2