Italian Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Italian Empire?

Subject:

Italian Empire

Known for:

A colonial empire established by Italy, peaking between 1936 and 1941.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Italian colonial empire (Italian: Impero coloniale italiano), sometimes known as the Italian Empire (Impero italiano), was a colonial empire that existed between 1882 and 1943; an Italian colony was revived in 1950 as a UN trust territory under Italy's administration and lasted until 1960. The empire comprised the colonies, protectorates, concessions and dependencies of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th and 20th centuries. At its peak, between 1936 and 1941, the colonial possessions in Africa included the territories of present-day Libya, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia (the latter three officially grouped under the name Africa Orientale Italiana, AOI). Outside Africa, Italy controlled the Dodecanese Islands, Albania, and territories in China (only their concession in Tianjin was under full control in their Chinese territories). During World War II, the empire exercised control over four puppet states and occupied several additional territories, although these were not formally annexed.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Fascist government that came to power under the leadership of the dictator Benito Mussolini after 1922 sought to increase the size of the Italian empire and it also sought to satisfy the claims of Italian irredentists. Systematic "demographic colonization" was encouraged by the government, and by 1939, Italian settlers numbered 120,000–150,000 in Italian Libya and 165,000 in Italian East Africa. During World War II, Italy allied itself with Nazi Germany in 1940 and it also occupied British Somaliland, western Egypt, much of Yugoslavia, parts of south-eastern France and most of Greece; however, it then lost those conquests and its African colonies to the invading Allied forces by 1943. In 1947, Italy officially relinquished claims on its former colonies. In 1950, former Italian Somaliland, then under British administration, was turned into the Italian Trust Territory of Somaliland until it became independent in 1960.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Imperialism in Italy dates back to ancient Rome, and the Latin notion of mare nostrum ("Our Sea", referring to the Mediterranean) has historically been the basis for Italian imperialism, especially during the fascist era. During the Middle Ages and the modern period, the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa controlled networks of "colonies" in the Mediterranean region known as the Venetian Empire and the Genoese Empire respectively. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, Italian explorers contributed to the colonial enterprises of other European countries in the Americas: Cristopher Columbus from Genoa served Spain, Amerigo Vespucci from Florence served Portugal, the Cabot brothers from Venice served England, and Giovanni da Verrazzano from Florence served France. However, no Italian power took an active role in the scramble for the Americas, with the notable exception of the Pope who acted as an arbiter between European colonial powers during the Renaissance. The geographical position of Italy, located in the center of an internal sea, without an open free access to the ocean, contributed to this purely Mediterranean policy.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1882: 1882 Milestone — The Italian colonial empire (Italian: Impero coloniale italiano), sometimes known as the Italian Empire (Impero italiano), was a colonial empire that existed between 1882 and 1943; an Italian colony was revived in 1950 as a UN trust territory under Italy's administration and lasted until 1960.
2. 1922: 1922 Milestone — The Fascist government that came to power under the leadership of the dictator Benito Mussolini after 1922 sought to increase the size of the Italian empire and it also sought to satisfy the claims of Italian irredentists.
3. 1936: 1936 Milestone — At its peak, between 1936 and 1941, the colonial possessions in Africa included the territories of present-day Libya, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia (the latter three officially grouped under the name Africa Orientale Italiana, AOI).
4. 1939: 1939 Milestone — Systematic "demographic colonization" was encouraged by the government, and by 1939, Italian settlers numbered 120,000–150,000 in Italian Libya and 165,000 in Italian East Africa.
5. 1940: 1940 Milestone — During World War II, Italy allied itself with Nazi Germany in 1940 and it also occupied British Somaliland, western Egypt, much of Yugoslavia, parts of south-eastern France and most of Greece; however, it then lost those conquests and its African colonies to the invading Allied forces by 1943.
6. 1947: 1947 Milestone — In 1947, Italy officially relinquished claims on its former colonies.
7. 1950: 1950 Milestone — In 1950, former Italian Somaliland, then under British administration, was turned into the Italian Trust Territory of Somaliland until it became independent in 1960.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Italian Empire

True or False: “Did the Italian Empire's peak colonial possessions in Africa include Libya, Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text confirms that between 1936 and 1941, these four territories were grouped under the name Africa Orientale Italiana (AOI).

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. Housman — Historical peer (Died in 1936) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Born in 1936) (1936): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Adam Kuper — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• A. A. Milne — Historical peer (Born in 1882) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Abd el-Krim — Historical peer (Born in 1882) (1882): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Agustín Pedro Justo — Historical peer (Died in 1943) (1943): 18th President of Argentina, leading during the tumultuous Infamous Decade.
• Akaji Maro — Historical peer (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Japanese butoh performer, director, and acclaimed film actor.
• Abdullah Gül — Historical peer (Born in 1950) (1950): Turkish politician who served as President (2007-2014) and Prime Minister.
• Agnes Smedley — Historical peer (Died in 1950) (1950): American journalist and activist supporting Indian Independence and Chinese Communism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Italian Empire