Who did Italy try to colonize?

As a historian with a focus on colonial history, I can provide a detailed account of Italy's colonial efforts. Italy, like many European powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, embarked on a path of colonial expansion. Its efforts were driven by a desire to establish a global presence, gain access to valuable resources, and assert its power on the world stage. Here's an overview of the regions Italy sought to colonize and the outcomes of those endeavors.

### Red Sea Colonies and North Africa
Eritrea was one of the first territories that Italy successfully colonized. The colonization of Eritrea began in the late 19th century, and it was officially declared an Italian colony in 1890 after the Treaty of Uccialli. Eritrea's strategic location on the Red Sea made it an important foothold for Italy's imperial ambitions.

Somalia was another region where Italy established a colonial presence. Italian Somaliland was created in the early 20th century, and it was particularly valuable for its access to the Indian Ocean and the potential for controlling sea routes.

### The Horn of Africa
Italy also had ambitions in Ethiopia. However, the story of Italian colonization in Ethiopia is marked by a significant failure. In the late 19th century, Italy sought to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia but met with stiff resistance. The failed attempt at colonization culminated in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian army, a rare victory for an African nation against a European colonial power.

### The Mediterranean and the Balkans
During the reign of King Umberto I, Italy's colonial ambitions extended to the Mediterranean and the Balkans. The kingdom had its eyes on territories that would allow it to exert influence in the region. However, these ambitions were not fully realized until the 20th century.

King Victor Emmanuel III, Umberto's successor, led Italy through a period of significant change. Italy's involvement in World War I and World War II had profound effects on its colonial holdings. After World War I, Italy gained a mandate over parts of the former Ottoman Empire, including a portion of Dalmatia in the Balkans. This territory was part of the spoils of war, allocated to Italy by the Treaty of Versailles.

### Libya
One of the most significant colonial acquisitions for Italy was Libya. Italy established a protectorate over the region in the early 20th century, and by 1934, it had full control over the territory. Libya was a key part of Italy's North African empire and was a source of strategic and economic importance.

### The Aftermath of World War II
The end of World War II marked a turning point for Italy's colonial empire. The defeat of the Axis powers led to the dissolution of Italy's colonial holdings. The process was formalized with the Treaty of Peace with Italy in 1947, which led to the end of Italian colonial rule in Africa.

In summary, Italy's colonial history is a complex tapestry of successes and failures. It sought to establish a significant global presence, particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean. While it successfully colonized Eritrea and Libya, it failed in its attempts to colonize Ethiopia and did not fully realize its ambitions in the Balkans. The outcomes of these colonial efforts have had lasting effects on the regions involved and continue to shape international relations and the global order.

During Umberto I kingdom, Italy colonized Eritrea and failed to colonize Ethiopia. During Vittorio Emanuele III kingdom, Italy went through the World War, eventually winning. The win made Dalmatia belong in the Italian country, but the conquered territory originally was much more than that.