The Maronite-Druze conflict in 1840–60 was an outgrowth of the Maronite independence movement, directed against the Druze, Druze feudalism, and the Ottoman-Turks. The civil war was not therefore a religious war, except in Damascus, where it spread and where the vastly non-Druze population was anti-Christian. This animosity was fueled by economic disparities, with Christians, who were generally wealthier and more prosperous, compare to the economically struggling Muslim residents. The movement culminated with the 1859–60 massacre and defeat of the Maronites by the Druze. The civil war of 1860 cost the Maronites some ten thousand lives in Damascus, Zahlé, Deir al-Qamar, Hasbaya, and other towns of Lebanon.
The Maronite-Druze conflict in 1840–60 was an outgrowth of the Maronite independence movement directed against the Druze Druze feudalism and the Ottoman-Turks The civil war was not therefore a religious war except in Damascus where it spread and where the vastly non-Druze population was anti-Christian This animosity was fueled by economic disparities with Christians who were generally wealthier and more prosperous compare to the economically struggling Muslim residents The movement culminated with the 1859–60 massacre and defeat of the Maronites by the Druze The civil war of 1860 cost the Maronites some ten thousand lives in Damascus Zahlé Deir al-Qamar Hasbaya and other towns of Lebanon