Italian Empire
Italian colonial empire from 1882 to 1943, revived as trust until 1960.
via Wikipedia: Colonial empire · see source
The Italian colonial empire, also known as the Italian Empire, was a colonial empire that existed between 1882 and 1943, with a revived trust territory lasting until 1960.
- born
- 1882
- died
- 1943 (empire); trust territory until 1960
- field
- Colonial empire
- nationality
- Italian
- known_for
- Colonial possessions in Africa, including Libya, Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia;
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The empire began with the purchase of Assab Bay in 1869 by an Italian navigation company, taken over by the Italian government in 1882 as its first overseas territory. Italy also secured territory in the Horn of Africa through protection treaties, forming Italian Somaliland.
Reader's Guide
The Italian colonial empire was significant as a latecomer to European colonial expansion, dependent on the acquiescence of Britain, France, and Germany. During World War II, Italy allied with Nazi Germany and occupied British Somaliland, western Egypt, much of Yugoslavia, parts of south-eastern France, and most of Greece, but lost these conquests and its African colonies by 1943. Italy officially relinquished claims on its former colonies in 1947, and former Italian Somaliland became a UN trust territory under Italian administration until independence in 1960.
Did You Know?
- The Italian colonial empire began with the purchase of Assab Bay in 1869 by an Italian navigation company, taken over by the Italian government in 1882 as its first overseas territory.
- Italy officially relinquished claims on its former colonies in 1947.
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