Ottoman Policies to Dominate Shūf: Political and Social Consequences

The present study seeks to examine the Ottoman policies to maintain their dominance over Shūf, the causes of their policies, and its political and social consequences. Shūf had a strategically privileged position because of being located in the eastern Mediterranean region; therefore the Ottomans appointed subordinate tribes to Shūf, but in the case of any disobedience, they eliminate them by supporting their rivals. The ottoman first appointed Kaysi Druze faction of Ma'n dynasty and then they eliminated them by their rival, Yemeni Druze faction of Ma'n dynasty, in the next step they ousted all Druze tribe and supported the Maronites. Also in a disuniting program, they divided Mount Lebanon into northern and southern parts. These politics do not even consolidate Ottoman domination over Shūf but also led to  1860 Mount Lebanon civil war between the Druze and Maronites. Eventually, Shūf was occupied by France in 1287 AH / 1870 AD.