Middle East

After reading the stories of two different men who lived in the Middle East during the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century, it is clear that the rising influence of European states had a significant impact on their lives. Though their lives were different, and led them down different paths, the catalyst in their lives were similar. The European influence, in the specific cases of Mohand N'Hamoucha and Assaf, was mainly French. This influence was different for both, for their lives were driven by different ideals; one strove for political freedom, and the other, for financial freedom. Their ideals were influenced by the historical period, their region, their class, and their struggles.

The historical period in which Mohand N'Hamoucha and Assaf lived were around the same time, however the location in conjunction with the period explains why their lives were so different. Following the Congress of Berlin (1878) Europeans began to annex African countries. Mohand N'Hamoucha lived as a revolutionary during the French annexation of Morocco. He became a tribal political leader with vast tribal connections. During his life, the French annexed Morocco and reorganized the government. In the 1890s Moroccan wool was in high demand in Europe and N'Hamoucha's tribe traded wool. The increased European involvement led to more opportunities in business and politics. Although Europeans were helping the Moroccans succeed, the Europeans were also seen as enemies and politically harmful. N'Hamoucha was part of the latter, and did not agree with French ideals. In 1913, N'Hamoucha led a battle against France, it looked like French control was going to end in the region but the French redoubled their efforts which led to the fall of Morocco by 1918. N'Hamoucha surrendered and as part of his surrender agreement he gained land and a title as a minor government official in the new French ruled government.

Assaf Khater grew up in Lebanon. He was born in 1860 to a poor peasant family in Lehfed which had a population of 840. His family relied on the silk trade which had gone from a sustenance economy to one that was struggling due to European modernization and trade with Japan and China. The only way out that Khater saw was to travel to South America, where he became a decently successful merchant. He was able to send money home in order to buy more land. The owning of land was the only way to achieve a higher standing socially. Unfortunately, this social standing did not mean much to his family, who he had left behind. His wife and children were very poor, while he was much more wealthy in South America. Although, presents were ranked by how much land they owned, his families personal issues were viewed as well. Assaf returned to Lebanon, but his pregnant wife and children went to South America. His first wife would die there and their children would stay. He would have to return