Palestine in Transformation, 1856-1882: Studies in Social, Economic and Political Development PDF
Preview Palestine in Transformation, 1856-1882: Studies in Social, Economic and Political Development
Palestine in Transformation, 1856-1882 Studies in Social, Economic and Political Development Alexander Schölch Available in English for the first time in its entirety, this seminal work by the late German historian is indispensable for understanding the history of Palestine in the decades following the introduction of the Ottoman Tanzimat (reforms). Based on archival and consular materials, the studies show the extent to which the processes of modernization and integration into the world economic system had already begun in the crucial period before the first wave of Jewish immigration. The work examines nineteenth-century European interest in the “Holy Land” and how competing interests led to the economic penetration of the southern and eastern periphery of the Mediterranean, and to the presence of British, French, Prussian, and Russian consuls in Palestine. In light of European penetration, the economic development of Palestine is discussed, focusing both on agrarian and industrial advances. The author goes on to describe the rivalries among the various local lords dur ing the mid-nineteenth century and the eventual integration of these local leader ships into the administrative structures of the Tanzimat. The text is enhanced and clarified by fifty-one tables and eight maps. Through its close examination of social, economic, and political developments in Palestine during the late Ottoman period, Palestine in Transformation, 1856- 1882 provides an important background to the roots of the Palestinian-Israeli con flict essential for students and scholars of the Middle East About the Author At the time of his death in 1986 at the age of 42, Alexander Schölch had already earned wide renown in the field of Middle East studies. After acquiring a solid knowledge of Middle Eastern languages and cultures at the universities of Heidelberg, Munich, and Oxford, he did extensive research on the history of the Middle East in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. His many articles on Egypt, Lebanon, the Ottoman Empire, and the Palestine question show the application of modem social research methods to the histori cal and political problems of the Middle East. Dr. Schölch taught at the University of Essen, and at the time of his death was Professor of Politics and Contemporary History of the Middle East at the University of Erlangen, Germany. Palestine in Transformation 1856-1882 Studies in Social, Economic and Political Development Palestine in Transformation 1856-1882 Studies in Social, Economic and Political Development Alexander Schölch Translated by William C. Young Michael C. Gerrity Institute for Palestine Studies Washington, D.C, The Institute for Palestine Studies, founded in Beirut in 1963, is an independent nonprofit Arab research and publication center, not affiliated with any political organization or government. The opinions expressed in its publications do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. Copyright © 1993 by the Institute for Palestine Studies. All rights reserved. Reprinted 2006. Copyright © 1986 of the original German edition, Palästina im Umbruch 1856-1882, by Franz Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden GmbH, Sitz Stuttgart, P.O.B. 347, D-7000 Stuttgart 1, Germany. All rights reserved. Cover photo: Jaffa. Middle East Centre, St. Anthony's College, Oxford, England. Used with permission. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Schölch, Alexander. [Palästina im Umbrach, 1856-1882. English] Palestine in transformation, 1856-1882: studies in social, economic, and political development / Alexander Schölch; translated by William C. Young, Michael C. Gerrity. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-88728-307-1 1. Palestine—History—1799-1917. I. Title. DS125.S29713 1993 93-18203 956.94’03—dc20 CIP Printed in the United States of America Contents Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................ix List of Abbreviations...............................................................................................................xi Introduction.................................................................................................................................1 PART I: LAND AND POPULATION 1. Palestine as an Historical-Geographical and Administrative Entity ... 9 2. Demographic Development...........................................................................19 PART II: EUROPEAN PENETRATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3. European Interest in Palestine...................................................................47 The "Opening Up" of the "Holy Und" 47 The Establishment of the English and Prüssian Presence 50 France and Palestine 54 Russia and Palestine 57 European Palestine Politics in Perspective 59 "The Restoration of the Jews" 61 "The Peaceful Crusade" 65 Colonization Projects 70 4. The Economic Development of Palestine.......!..........................................77 The Problem 77 Foreign Trade and Agriculture 80 Export Orientation of Agricultural Production 80 Export Proceeds 93 Imports and Trade Balance 106 Land Ownership and Acquisition 110 The Development of the Cities and the Urban Economy 118 Preliminary Remarks 118 Jerusalem (al-Quds) 119 Jaffa (Yafa) and Communications with Jerusalem 134 Bethlehem (Bayt Lahm) 143 Nazareth (al-Nasira) and the Khan al-Tujjar 146 Haifa and the Templar Colonies 150 Acre ('Akka) 153 Safad and Tiberias (Tabariyya) 155 Nablus 157 Hebron (al-Khalil) 161 Gaza (Ghazza) 163 Summary 166 PART III: SOCIO-POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT 5. Social Formation until the Mid-Nineteenth Century...........................171 The Problem 171 Feudalism in Palestine? 175 6. The Local Lords and the® Districts...............................................................181 Galilee 181 Jabal Nablus 183 Jabal al-Quds 186 Jabal al-Khalil 188 7. Qays and Yaman.....................................................................................................191 8. The Disempowerment of the Local Lords.......................................................197 Preliminary Remarks 197 'Aqil Agha in Lower Galilee 199 Jabal Nablus 209 Jabal al-Quds 227 Jabal al-Khalil 234 New Functions 238 9. A Palestinian Reformer: Yusuf al-Khaudi............................................241 10. Ottoman Reforms: Taxes and Solders....................................................253 11. Palestinian Reactions to Middle Eastern Crises.................................267 O Tempora, O Mores! 267 The Trauma of 1860 273 Sympathies for TJrabi , 278 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................283 Maps.............................................................................................................................................293 Bibliography............................................................................................................................303 Index 339 For Rudolf von Albertini Albert Hourani Fritz Steppat
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