The Settlement of Caucasian Refugees to Syria Province and the Hardships Encountered

Russia invaded the Caucasian region completely in the second half of 19th century. The Muslim nations of the Caucasia, who rejected the domination of Russia, decided to emigrate Ottoman empire. The oppression and the cruelty that Russia carried out had an important role in the decision of emigration. The first refugees, who came form Caucasia, were settled in Anatolia, Rumelia and partly Syria province. The Ottoman empire lost war at the result of 1877–1878 Ottoman-Russia war. As the result of the war, Ottoman empire lost a great deal of land in Balkan geography. Therefore, the Caucasian refugees, who were settled in Balkans before, became refugee again. Syria province was approved as the new settlement region both for Caucasian and Rumelian refeugees. These refugees, who had been sent to Syria province, encountered, great problems. They experienced the problem of adapting to natural conditions of Syria such as water and air. Besides, when the epidemic ilnesses, which caused due to squalor, were added nearly half of the refugees died. Apart from that, the refugees faced troubles with Druse and Bedouins in social aspect, thus, they encountered great problems. Ottoman empire mobilized all its opportunities fort he settlement of refugees. However, it could not prevent the unwanted events.

Keywords

Caucasian Refugees, Syria province, Druses, The conflict with Druses, Bedouin Arabs, State Assistanc