A Land of Aching Hearts

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The Great War ended four centuries of Ottoman rule in Arab lands, shaping the modern Middle East. A century later, the experiences of ordinary people during this tumultuous period have largely faded from collective memory. This work explores the personal stories of civilians and soldiers affected by the war, particularly in Greater Syria, which includes present-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine, as well as Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt. The region faced devastation from a British and French naval blockade compounded by Ottoman war measures, leading to famine, disease, inflation, and a surge of refugees. However, local populations displayed remarkable resilience, with civilians, entrepreneurs, draft-dodgers, soldiers, and townspeople striving to survive amidst chaos. Their ingenuity often made the difference between life and death. The war's aftermath was harsh for many, as nationalist aspirations were stifled by Britain and France's division of the Middle East into arbitrary borders, fostering lasting resentment. The profound suffering and sacrifices experienced during the Great War would influence political perspectives and attitudes toward the West for generations to come.