Reforging a Forgotten History : Iraq and the Assyrians in the Twentieth Century

Were they simply bystanders, victims of collateral damage who played a passive role in its history? Furthermore, how have they negotiated their position throughout various periods of Iraq's state-building processes? This book details a narrative of Iraq in the twentieth century and refashions the Assyrian experience as an integral part of Iraq's broader contemporary historiography. It is the first comprehensive account to contextualize a native experience alongside the emerging state. Using primary and secondary data, this book offers a nuanced exploration of the dynamics that have affected and determined the trajectory of the Assyrians' experience in twentieth-century Iraq. Situates an Assyrian narrative within the history of modern IraqRead and download the introduction for free here (pdf)Who are the Assyrians and what role did they play in shaping modern Iraq? Were they simply bystanders, victims of collateral damage who played a passive role in the history of Iraq? And how have they negotiated their position throughout various periods of Iraq's state-building processes?This book details the narrative and history of Iraq in the 20th century and reinserts the Assyrian experience as an integral part of Iraq's broader contemporary historiography. It is the first comprehensive account to contextualize this native people's experience alongside the developmental processes of the modern Iraqi state. Using primary and secondary data, this book offers a nuanced exploration of the dynamics that have affected and determined the trajectory of the Assyrians' experience in 20th century Iraq.Key FeaturesIncludes oral history and ethnographic research on the Assyrian experience in IraqUses raw data on Assyrian villages in Iraq as well as references to ancient churches and monasteries which serve as a demographic history of Assyrian Christianity in Iraq in the past 100 years Utilizes Aramaic material culture to supplement the history of Iraq and the Assyrian experience Presents original and translated Arabic documents related to Iraqi Assyrian history from the 1930s to the 1980s" Who are the Assyrians and what role did they play in shaping modern Iraq? Were they simply bystanders, victims of collateral damage who played a passive role in the history of Iraq? And how have they negotiated their position throughout various periods of Iraq's state-building processes? This book details the narrative and history of Iraq in the 20th century and reinserts the Assyrian experience as an integral part of Iraq's broader contemporary historiography. It is the first comprehensive account to contextualize this native people's experience alongside the developmental processes of the modern Iraqi state. Using primary and secondary data, this book offers a nuanced exploration of the dynamics that have affected and determined the trajectory of the Assyrians' experience in 20th century Iraq. Key Features * Includes oral history and ethnographic research on the Assyrian experience in Iraq *Uses raw data on Assyrian villages in Iraq as well as references to ancient churches and monasteries which serve as a demographic history of Assyrian Christianity in Iraq in the past 100 years * Utilizes Aramaic material culture to supplement the history of Iraq and the Assyrian experience * Presents original and translated Arabic documents related to Iraqi Assyrian history from the 1930s to the 1980s. Who Are The Assyrians And What Role Did They Play In Shaping Modern Iraq? Were They Simply Bystanders, Victims Of Collateral Damage Who Played A Passive Role In The History Of Iraq? Furthermore, How Have They Negotiated Their Position Throughout Various Periods Of Iraq's State-building Processes? This Book Details A Narrative Of Iraq In The Twentieth Century And Refashions The Assyrian Experience As An Integral Part Of Iraq's Broader Contemporary Historiography. It Is The First Comprehensive Account To Contextualise A Native Experience Alongside The Emerging State. Using Primary And Secondary Data, This Book Offers A Nuanced Exploration Of The Dynamics That Have Affected And Determined The Trajectory Of The Assyrians' Experience In Twentieth Century Iraq. Sargon George Donabed. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Reforging a Forgotten History 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Figures 9 Tables 11 Abbreviations 12 Acknowledgements 14 Introduction 18 1 Integrating the Assyrian Question 44 2 Framing the Assyrian Narrative: Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century 71 3 Iraq: Building a ‘Nation’-State 110 4 The Birth of the Republic and an Autonomist Struggle 155 5 Enduring Discord: Political Machinations and Border Clearings 186 6 New Movements and War on the Horizon 208 7 State Formation, State-building and Contentious Pluralism 238 8 Conclusion 280 Glossary 286 Appendix A: Village Data1 288 Appendix B: Documents Concerning Cultural and Political Organisations 387 Bibliography 394 Index 421 Presents a narrative history and analysis of the Assyrian experience in 20th century Iraq. This book includes comprehensive data pertaining to Iraqi Assyrian villages as well as ancient churches, monasteries, schools and other material culture edifices. It includes history and ethnographic research on the Assyrians.