Great Syrian Revolt

Quick Facts: Who was Great Syrian Revolt?

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Great Syrian Revolt

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A major 1925–1927 uprising against French Mandate rule in Syria and Greater Lebanon.

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Origins & Early Life

The Great Syrian Revolt (Arabic: الثورة السورية الكبرى, romanized: al-thawrah al-Sūriyyah al-kubrā), also known as the Revolt of 1925, was a general uprising across the State of Syria and Greater Lebanon during the period of 1925 to 1927. The revolt was a response to the repressive policies of the French authorities under the Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, which divided Syria into several occupied territories. The leading rebel forces initially comprised fighters of the Jabal Druze State in southern Syria, and were later joined by Sunni, Druze and Shiite and factions all over Syria. The common goal was to end French occupation in the newly mandated regions, which passed from Ottoman to French administration following World War I. While the French army and local collaborators achieved military victory, Syrian resistance led to the establishment of a national government of Syria, under which the divided territories were reunited. In addition parliamentary elections were held as a preliminary step towards independence, which would be agreed in the Viénot Agreement in late 1936, but never ratified by the French.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1918, towards the end of World War I, the Ottoman Empire's forces withdrew from Syria after being defeated by the Allied Powers (Great Britain and France) and their Hashemite Arab allies from the Hejaz. The British had promised the Hashemites control over a united Arab state consisting of the bulk of Arabic-speaking lands from which the Ottomans withdrew, even as the Allies made other plans for the region in the 1916 Sykes–Picot Agreement. The idea of Syrian and Arab independence were not entirely new concepts. French forces entering Syria faced resistance from local factions in the north in 1919, with the prominent Alawite sheikh Saleh al-Ali launching a revolt in the coastal mountain range and Ibrahim Hananu leading a revolt in Aleppo and the surrounding countryside. The leaders of both uprisings were supportive of the creation of a united Syrian state presided over by Emir Faisal, the son of Sharif Husayn.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In March 1920 the Hashemites officially established the Kingdom of Syria with Faisal as king and the capital in Damascus. In the April 1920 San Remo Conference, the Allies were granted control over the Ottoman Empire's former Arab territories by the newly formed League of Nations, with Britain taking control of Palestine, Transjordan and Iraq, while France took control of Syria. This transfer of authority from the Ottomans to the French was generally unwelcome to Greater Syria's inhabitants, with the exception of some of the local Christian communities, particularly the Maronites of Mount Lebanon. The brief Franco-Syrian War saw the Hashemites' pan-Arab forces defeated by the French in the Battle of Maysalun on 23 July, and the kingdom dissolved. France then divided the country into several autonomous entities: State of Damascus, State of Aleppo, Greater Lebanon, Alawite State and Jabal Druze State.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1916: 1916 Milestone — The British had promised the Hashemites control over a united Arab state consisting of the bulk of Arabic-speaking lands from which the Ottomans withdrew, even as the Allies made other plans for the region in the 1916 Sykes–Picot Agreement.
2. 1918: 1918 Milestone — In 1918, towards the end of World War I, the Ottoman Empire's forces withdrew from Syria after being defeated by the Allied Powers (Great Britain and France) and their Hashemite Arab allies from the Hejaz.
3. 1919: 1919 Milestone — French forces entering Syria faced resistance from local factions in the north in 1919, with the prominent Alawite sheikh Saleh al-Ali launching a revolt in the coastal mountain range and Ibrahim Hananu leading a revolt in Aleppo and the surrounding countryside.
4. 1920: 1920 Milestone — In March 1920 the Hashemites officially established the Kingdom of Syria with Faisal as king and the capital in Damascus.
5. 1925: 1925 Milestone — The Great Syrian Revolt (Arabic: الثورة السورية الكبرى, romanized: al-thawrah al-Sūriyyah al-kubrā), also known as the Revolt of 1925, was a general uprising across the State of Syria and Greater Lebanon during the period of 1925 to 1927.
6. 1936: 1936 Milestone — In addition parliamentary elections were held as a preliminary step towards independence, which would be agreed in the Viénot Agreement in late 1936, but never ratified by the French.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Great Syrian Revolt

True or False: “The Great Syrian Revolt was immediately successful in establishing a fully independent, unified Syrian state after 1927.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Although the revolt led to the establishment of a national government and preliminary elections, full independence was not ratified by the French until later agreements, such as the Viénot Agreement in 1936.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Bandura — Historical peer (Born in 1925) (1925): Pioneering psychologist known for Social Cognitive Theory and self-efficacy.
• Alexander Shulgin — Historical peer (Born in 1925) (1925): Pioneering biochemist known for synthesizing and exploring over 200 psychoactive compounds.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• A. E. Housman — Historical peer (Died in 1936) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Born in 1936) (1936): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Abdul Hamid II — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Adriana Caselotti — Historical peer (Born in 1916) (1916): American actress and singer, famed for voicing Snow White in the first Disney feature.
• Ahmed Ben Bella — Historical peer (Born in 1916) (1916): Algerian revolutionary and politician who served as the first President of Algeria.

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