What African countries were colonized by Italy?

As a historian with a focus on colonial history, I can provide you with a detailed account of the African countries that were colonized by Italy. It's important to note that the colonial era was a complex period marked by the expansionist policies of various European powers, and Italy was one of them. The historical context is crucial for understanding the extent and nature of Italian colonialism in Africa. Step 1: English Answer Italy, as a unified nation from 1861, embarked on a colonial expansion that led to the colonization of several African territories. The primary regions of interest for Italy were in North and East Africa, driven by strategic, economic, and nationalistic motivations. Here is a list of African countries and territories that were colonized by Italy, with a brief overview of each: 1. Libya: Italy established its presence in Libya in the early 20th century, following the Italo-Turkish War of 1911-1912. Libya was considered an important strategic location due to its position along the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian colonization of Libya was marked by the establishment of military garrisons, infrastructure development, and the introduction of Italian settlers. However, the harsh treatment of the local population and the suppression of Libyan culture led to resistance and ultimately, the end of Italian rule with the Allied victory in World War II. 2. Ethiopia: Known as Abyssinia during the colonial period, Ethiopia was invaded by Italy in 1935. The invasion was part of Italy's broader strategy to create an Italian East African Empire, which was dubbed "Italian East Africa" or "Africa Orientale Italiana" (AOI). The Italian forces, under the command of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, used modern military tactics and equipment to subdue the Ethiopian resistance. The occupation lasted until 1941 when British and Ethiopian forces, including the famous Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, drove out the Italian forces. 3. Eritrea: Eritrea was an Italian colony from the late 19th century until World War II. It was initially part of the larger Italian colonial holdings in the Horn of Africa, which also included Ethiopia. After the defeat of Italy in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Eritrea was administered by Britain as a United Nations Trust Territory until it gained independence in 1993. 4. Somalia: The eastern part of Somalia was colonized by Italy and was known as Italian Somaliland. It was part of the Italian Empire from the late 19th century until 1940 when it was captured by British forces during World War II. Post-war, Italian Somaliland was returned to Italy as a trusteeship territory until it united with British Somaliland to form the independent nation of Somalia in 1960. 5. Albania: Although not in Africa, Albania was occupied by Italy during World War II and was considered part of the Italian sphere of influence. The occupation began in 1939 and lasted until the end of the war in 1945. 6. Greece: Certain Greek islands and territories, such as the Dodecanese and parts of Macedonia and Thrace, were also under Italian control during the war. The Dodecanese, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, were particularly significant as they were used as military bases. 7. Croatia: The regions of Dalmatia and Istria, which are part of modern-day Croatia, were annexed by Italy after World War I as a result of the Treaty of Rapallo in 1920. These areas had significant Italian populations and were considered by Italy to be part of its irredentist claims. It's important to recognize that the colonial period was characterized by a significant loss of sovereignty, cultural suppression, and economic exploitation for the colonized countries. The legacy of colonialism continues to influence the political, economic, and social landscapes of these nations today. **

Since its birth as a modern state in 1861 Italy colonized Libya, Ethiopia (it was called abissinia), Eritrea, eastern Somalia, Albania, some Greek islands, Croatia (Dalmatia, istria used to be Italian due to a big Italian population that used to be there).