The 1850 Events In Aleppo: An Aftershock Of Syria's Incorporation Into The Capitalist World System

Abstract

The events of Aleppo have caused amongst all classes of all nationalities a sensation such as I have never witnessed here before. The population of Aleppo is the wealthiest, best conducted community in Syria. That such a body of people in a time of profound peace, living under the protection of an organized government of two pashas and a garrison of regular troops of all arms should find themselves, without the slightest provocation on their part, or a moment's warning, the victims of atrocities which are rarely practiced on a town taken by storm, is a consideration which has, I regret to say, produced a feeling most unfavorable to the responsible government.

What Causes Civil Wars? Integrating Quantitative Research Findings

“…Historical evidence supports the existence of civil wars waged over issues other than regime or territory. In Russia, a full‐scale civil war broke out when Kazakhs and Kirgiz resisted conscription (Pierce 1960; Sanborn 2003); similar revolts wracked the Ottoman Empire in 1850 (Masters 1990) and 1896 (Schilcher 1991; Firro 1992). In Zaire, paratroopers mutinied and rioted over the introduction of new banknotes that deprived them of pay; the withdrawal of the banknotes ended the revolt (Death Toll Mounts in Zaire as Troops Go On Rampage 1993).…”

Inter‐confessional relations in nineteenth‐century Syria: Damascus, Homs and Hama compared

“…Widiout embracing Hann2's theoretical apparatus, other historians have also identified specific economic and political transformations that created inter-confessional hostility in Aleppo and Damascus. Bruce Masters points to the disintegration of community bonds in nineteenth-century Aleppo as a major cause of confessional violence there (Masters 1990), and Leila Fawaz identifies 'the primary motive' of die Damascus violence as 'the growing gap between rich and poor,' not 'religious fanaticism' (Fawaz 1994, 100).…”