Popular mobilization, Christian oligarchy and the Francophone press in Lebanon during the Mandate

Abstract

The political upheaval in the decade of the 30s in Lebanon represents an important historical moment of national consolidation, which final outcome will be the formal independence with the National Pact of 1943. In these years, with the country under the authority of the French Mandate, it is possible to recognise the consolidation of a demanding national bourgeoisie with a growing unconformity due to the prerogatives of French companies. The Lebanese Francophone press, directly related to the two main blocks of the Christian oligarchy, became a tool in their hands in order to move their criticism towards the Mandate and against each other. The article highlights the strict relation between a part of the Christian elites agenda with these years’ demonstrations, and it wants to shed light on the use of the media by these oligarchies.