My great grandmother immigrated to the United States from the Syrian Arab Rebublic in 1900 (according to her immmigration paperwork), and her branch of my family always considered themselves as being of Lebanese decent. I know that Lebanon was not an independent state, but in trying to do some research on the region at that time I've become somewhat lost.

I would like to learn more information on

1. Who ruled over the region that is considered modern day Lebanon in 1900?
2. What general reasons may have caused the population of the region to migrate in such large numbers at that time?

Thank you