Italy’s colonial ventures in Africa primarily took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The key territories that Italy colonized include:
- Eritrea: Italy established control over Eritrea in the late 1800s, incorporating it as a colony in 1890. This region was significant as it served as the first major Italian colonial possession in Africa.
- Somalia: Italy claimed parts of Somalia, referred to as Italian Somaliland, in the late 1800s. They managed to establish a protectorate over the southern region, which lasted until the end of World War II.
- Libya: After the Italo-Turkish War of 1911, Italy formally annexed Libya, which became one of its most notable colonies in Africa, with full control established by 1934.
- South Sudan: Although not a full colony, Italy had limited control in the southern regions of what is now South Sudan during its administration of Sudan under British-Egyptian rule.
Italy’s colonial rule was marked by significant military and economic exploitation, and often faced resistance from the local populations. The impact of these colonial endeavors has had lasting effects on relations between Italy and the affected countries.