The Arab Mexicans before the Great War: Mobility Causes, Ottomanism, and Consular Aspirations

Abstract

This article explores the activism of Arab Mexicans during the transition from the sultanate of Abdülhamid II, known as the Hamidian regime, and the beginning of the rule of the Committee of Union and Progress, known as the Young Turks government. The paper discusses the activism of intellectuals, social network leaders, and associations that created affinity ties with the Ottoman government and French authorities. These activities aspired to consolidate the diplomatic protection of Ottomans in Mexico. The compilation of primary sources shows the spread of Ottomanism and Francophilia within the first generation of Arab Mexicans. These discourses of affinity are relevant elements to understanding the activism in the Great War and at the dawn of the Mandate system in the Mashriq.

Keywords

• Mexico
• Mashriq
• Mahjar
• Ottomanism
• francophilia
• Young Turks