The Italian Colonial Empire emerged during the period of New Imperialism (late 19th–early 20th centuries) as the recently unified Kingdom of Italy sought to secure its place among the European great powers. Motivated by a combination of economic ambition, nationalist aspiration, and geopolitical rivalry, Italy’s colonial ventures were also a means of overcoming feelings of inferiority compared to older empires such as Britain and France. This imperial drive reflected both the search for raw materials and new markets and the ideological rhetoric of Italy’s “civilizing mission.” Under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini (r. 1922–1943), imperial expansion became central to national identity and propaganda, symbolizing a vision of Italy as the heir to ancient Rome’s glory.
Italy’s overseas presence began with the acquisition of Eritrea (1882) and Somaliland (1889), followed by the conquest of Libya (1911) from the Ottoman Empire. The invasion of Ethiopia (1935–1936) created Italian East Africa, marking the high point of Mussolini’s imperial ambitions. In Europe, irredentist policies, claims to “unredeemed” Italian territories, led to the annexation of South Tyrol, Istria, and the Dodecanese Islands, and the occupation of Albania (1939) as well as parts of Greece and Dalmatia during the Second World War (1939–1945). The collapse of the fascist regime and Italy’s defeat ended these ambitions; by the Treaty of Paris (1947), Italy formally renounced all colonial claims, leaving behind a legacy of contested memory, limited economic gain, and enduring regional impact.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2025, April 16). Map of the Italian Empire in 1942: The Spatial and Political Dimensions of Italian Imperialism. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20362/map-of-the-italian-empire-in-1942/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Italian Empire in 1942: The Spatial and Political Dimensions of Italian Imperialism." World History Encyclopedia, April 16, 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20362/map-of-the-italian-empire-in-1942/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Italian Empire in 1942: The Spatial and Political Dimensions of Italian Imperialism." World History Encyclopedia, 16 Apr 2025, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20362/map-of-the-italian-empire-in-1942/.
