Italian Somaliland: Difference between revisions

Italian Somalia
*Somalia Italiana*
Italian Somalia Somalia Italiana
1880s–1941
	Flag Coat of arms of Somalia Coat of arms
	Anthem: National Anthem of the Kingdom of Italy
	Italian Somaliland
Status	Italian colony
Capital	Mogadiscio
Official languages	Italian, Somali
Religion	Islam, Roman Catholicism
Historical era	Interwar period
• Established	1880s
• Conquered	1941
• British control	1941-49
Currency	Italian Lira
ISO 3166 code	SO
	Succeeded by
Italian East Africa

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Italian Somalia was a colony under Italian control from the 1880s until 1942, in the territory of the modern-day Northeast African nation of Somalia.

History

The late 19th century had a huge impact on developments occurring in the Horn of Africa. Somalia was a true colony of Italy for a little over a decade in the early 1900s: both northern and southern Somalia were protectorates of the British, Italian and the French from the late 1880's to 1960.

The European powers first gained a foothold in Somalia through the signing of various pacts and agreements with the Sultans that controlled the region. Their interest in this largely arid country was centered mainly around the fact that the access to its ports granted them the control of the strategically important Suez Canal and Gulf of Aden.^[1]

The last piece of land acquired by Italy in Somalia in order to form their Somali Land was the Chisimayu Region, which was earlier controlled by Britain. ^[1]

Before its campaign in Somalia, a growing social movement developed within Italy to start expanding its influence, since many other European countries had already been doing so, effectively leaving Italy behind. There was also a huge shortage in capital and serious economic problems in Italy. ^[2]Cesare Correnti organized an expedition under the Societa' Geografica Italiana in 1876. L’Esploratire was established by Manfredo Camperio- a journal of travel in 1877.(colonial legacy 16).

The Societa di Esplorazioni Commerciali in Africa was created, with the Italian Industrial Establishment involved as well in 1879. Even the Club Africano was established (three years later became "Societa Africana D’Italia") in 1879.

It is also argued by some that Italy had a minor interest in the mutton and livestock that were then plentiful in Somalia, though whatever designs Italy may have had on the resource-challenged Somali landscape were undoubtedly subordinate to their interest in the region's ports, with the waters and lands they gave access to.^[3]

Italy gained control of various parts of Somalia in the 1880s, and over the following decades Italian settlement was encouraged. In January 26, 1887 Italian troops from Somalia fought a battle against Ras Alula Engida’s militia in Dogali, Eritrea, where they lost 500 troops. The Prime Minister, Agostino Depretis, resigned which was caused by the defeat in July 1887. Prime Minister Francesco Crispi replaced him, and had new plans to create new areas for immigration for Italians. On May 2, 1889 Menelik II, the Emperor of Ethiopia and Italy signed a peace treaty.

Around 1895 Italy launched the disastrous First Italo-Abyssinian War against Ethiopia from its territories in Eritrea and Somalia. In 1905, Italy finally accepted the responsibility to create a colony in Southern Somalia, after several tentatives had failed. ^[4]

The administrative regulators were Governor Mercantelli with six subdivisions of Brava, Merca, Lugh, Itala, Bardera, and Jumbo. In April 5, 1908 there was a basic law founded to unite all of the parts of southern Somalia into an area called Somalia Italiana.

The colonial power was then divided between the Parliament, Metropolitan government, and the colonial government. The power of the colonial government was the only power that was changed. The Civil governor controlled export rights, regulated the rate of exchange, raised or lowered native taxes, and administered all civil services and matters relating to hunting, fishing, and conservation ^[5]. The Governor was in control of the Police force, while nominating local residents and military arrangements ^[5]

In 1920 the Societa' Agricola Italo-Somala (SAIS) was founded by the Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, in order to explore the agricultural potentials of Africa. This society promoted the immigration to Somalia of thousands of Italian farmers as colonists.

The Italians brought to Somalia a huge development of Catholicism embraced by nearly 20% of the population in the 1940s, and supported by the creation of churches and many missions. The biggest catholic cathedral in Africa was built in Mogadiscio in the 1920s (but was destroyed in the actual civil war of Somalia).[1]

Fascism and the Italian Empire

On December 5, 1923 Fascism came to Somalia through the Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi. He brought with him forceful ways of colonial rule and ideas. After the collapse of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan’s movement, rebellion and revolt ocurred with disputes between different tribes in Northern Somalia. The current government worked together again with the old tribesmen in order to try and keep peace between the several tribes, while maintaining very well control over the military. ^[6] After a few years De Vecchi obtained complete control of the territory and in the 1930s was started a successful process of integration with the moslem somalis.

In 1926 the colony in Somalia was extended when Jubaland was acquired from the British colony of Kenya, following agreements after WWI.

In the late 1930s Italian Somalia started to enjoy a period of huge economic development around the settlemtent of many thousands of Italians in the area of Mogadishu and "Villaggio Duca d'Abruzzo" (actual Jowhar).

In 1936, after the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, Italian Somalia became part of Italian East Africa. The new colony also included Ethiopia and Eritrea. In his new Italian empire, Mussolini administratively enlarged Somalia including Ogaden, populated by somali tribes.

During the East African Campaign, Italy successfully conquered British Somaliland in 1940 and annexed it to Somalia. Even some areas of eastern Kenya were occupied by italian troops in summer of that year.

But in the Allied counter offensive it lost control over its East African colonies in 1942. Even if there was an Italian guerrilla until 1943, Somalia was lost forever for the Italians and after WWII the United Nations denied the request of Italy to maintain the somalian colony in 1947.

Italian Somalia was under British administration until 1949 when it became a United Nations Trust Territory under Italian administration. Somalia became independent in 1960, yet it still continues today with civil wars, trying to finally have a stable government after colonial rule for many years.

All the Italians have fled the country after the start of the civil wars in the early 1990s, following the end of Siad Barre rule.[2]

Notes

^ ^a ^b Fitzgerald, Nina J. Somalia (New York: Nova Science, 2002), p 33
^ Tripodi, Paolo. The Colonial Legacy in Somalia. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999. p 16
^ Tripodi, Paolo. The Colonial Legacy in Somalia, p 12-13
^ Hess, Robert L. Italian Colonialism in Somalia Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966. p 101
^ ^a ^b Hess, Robert L. Italian Colonialism, p 102
^ Hess, Robert L. Italian Colonialism, p 146

Bibliography

Hess, Robert L. Italian Colonialism in Somalia. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966.
Tripodi, Paolo. The Colonial Legacy in Somalia. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999.
Fitzgerald, Nina J. Somalia. New York: Nova Science, Inc., 2002.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Cleanup|date=March 2008}}
 {{Infobox Former Country
 |native_name = ''Somalia Italiana''
@@ Line 32: / Line 30: @@
 }}
+'''Italian Somalia''' was a colony under Italian control from the [[1880s]] until [[1942]], in the territory of the modern-day [[Horn of Africa|Northeast African]] nation of [[Somalia]].
-'''Italian Somalia''' was a colony under Italian control from the [[1880s]] until [[1942]] in the territory of the modern-day [[Horn of Africa|Northeast African]] nation of [[Somalia]]. The late [[19th century]] had a huge impact on developments occurring in the [[Horn of Africa]]. Though only ever a true colony of Italy for a little over a decade in the early 1900s, both northern and southern Somalia were [[protectorate]]s of the British, Italian and the French from the late 1880's to [[1960]]. The European powers first gained a foothold in Somalia through the signing of various pacts and agreements with the Sultans that then controlled the region. Their interest in this largely arid country mainly centered around the access its ports granted them to the strategically important [[Suez Canal]] and the [[Gulf of Aden]].<ref name=Fitz-33>Fitzgerald, Nina J. ''Somalia'' (New York: Nova Science, 2002), p 33</ref> The last piece of land acquired by Italy in Somalia in order to form their Somali Land was the Chisimayu Region, which was earlier controlled by Britain. <ref name=Fitz-33/>
+==History==
-Before its campaign in Somalia, a growing social movement developed within Italy to start expanding its influence, since many other European countries had already been doing so effectively leaving Italy behind. There was also a huge shortage in capital and serious economic problems in Italy. <ref>Tripodi, Paolo. ''The Colonial Legacy in Somalia''. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999. p 16</ref>Cesare Correnti organized an expedition under the Societa Geografica Italiana in 1876. L’Esploratire was established by Manfredo Camperio- a journal of travel in 1877.(colonial legacy 16). Societa di Esplorazioni Commerciali in Africa was created, with the Italian Industrial Establishment involved as well in 1879. Club Africano was established (three years later became Societa Africana D’Italia) in 1879.
+The late [[19th century]] had a huge impact on developments occurring in the [[Horn of Africa]]. Somalia was a true colony of Italy for a little over a decade in the early 1900s: both northern and southern Somalia were [[protectorate]]s of the British, Italian and the French from the late 1880's to [[1960]].
+The European powers first gained a foothold in Somalia through the signing of various pacts and agreements with the Sultans that controlled the region. Their interest in this largely arid country was centered mainly around the fact that the access to its ports granted them  the control of the strategically important [[Suez Canal]] and [[Gulf of Aden]].<ref name=Fitz-33>Fitzgerald, Nina J. ''Somalia'' (New York: Nova Science, 2002), p 33</ref>
+The last piece of land acquired by Italy in Somalia in order to form their Somali Land was the Chisimayu Region, which was earlier controlled by Britain. <ref name=Fitz-33/>
+Before its campaign in Somalia, a growing social movement developed within Italy to start expanding its influence, since many other European countries had already been doing so, effectively leaving Italy behind. There was also a huge shortage in capital and serious economic problems in Italy. <ref>Tripodi, Paolo. ''The Colonial Legacy in Somalia''. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999. p 16</ref>Cesare Correnti organized an expedition under the Societa' Geografica Italiana in 1876. L’Esploratire was established by Manfredo Camperio- a journal of travel in 1877.(colonial legacy 16).
+The ''Societa di Esplorazioni Commerciali in Africa'' was created, with the Italian Industrial Establishment involved as well in 1879. Even the ''Club Africano'' was established (three years later became "Societa Africana D’Italia") in 1879.
-It is also argued by some that Italy had a minor interest in the mutton and livestock that were then plentiful in Somalia, though whatever designs Italy may have had on the resource-challenged Somali landscape were undoubtedly subordinate to their interest in the region's ports and the waters and lands they gave access to.<ref>Tripodi, Paolo. ''The Colonial Legacy in Somalia'', p 12-13</ref> Italy gained control of various parts of Somalia in the 1880s, and over the following decades Italian settlement was encouraged. In January 26, 1887 Italian troops from Somalia fought a battle against [[Ras (title)|Ras]] [[Alula Engida]]’s militia in [[Dogali]], [[Eritrea]], where they lost 500 troops. The Prime Minister, [[Agostino Depretis]], resigned which was caused by the defeat in July 1887. Prime Minister [[Francesco Crispi]] replaced him, and had new plans to create new areas for immigration for Italians. On May 2, 1889 [[Menelik II]], the [[Emperor of Ethiopia]] and Italy signed a peace treaty.
+It is also argued by some that Italy had a minor interest in the mutton and livestock that were then plentiful in Somalia, though whatever designs Italy may have had on the resource-challenged Somali landscape were undoubtedly subordinate to their interest in the region's ports, with the waters and lands they gave access to.<ref>Tripodi, Paolo. ''The Colonial Legacy in Somalia'', p 12-13</ref>
+Italy gained control of various parts of Somalia in the 1880s, and over the following decades Italian settlement was encouraged. In January 26, 1887 Italian troops from Somalia fought a battle against [[Ras (title)|Ras]] Alula Engida’s militia in Dogali, [[Eritrea]], where they lost 500 troops. The Prime Minister, [[Agostino Depretis]], resigned which was caused by the defeat in July 1887. Prime Minister [[Francesco Crispi]] replaced him, and had new plans to create new areas for immigration for Italians. On May 2, 1889 [[Menelik II]], the [[Emperor of Ethiopia]] and Italy signed a peace treaty.
-Around [[1895]] Italy launched the disastrous [[First Italo-Abyssinian War]] against Ethiopia from its territories in [[Eritrea]] and Somalia. In [[1905]], Italy finally accepted the responsibility into creating a colony in Southern Somalia, after several tries that had failed. <ref>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism in Somalia'' Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966. p 101</ref> The administrative regulators were Governor Mercantelli with six subdivisions of [[Brava]], [[Merca]], Lugh, Itala, [[Bardera]], and Jumbo. In April 5, 1908 there was a basic law founded to unite all of the parts of southern Somalia into an area called Somalia Italiana. The power was then divided between the Parliament, Metropolitan government, and the colonial government. Powers of the colonial government was the only power that was changed where the:Civil governor controlled export droits, regulated the rate of exchange, could raise or lower native taxes, and administered all civil services and matters relating to hunting, fishing, and conservation <ref name=Hess-102>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism'', p 102</ref>,Governor was in control of the Police force, while nominating local residents and military arrangements <ref name=Hess-102/>
+Around [[1895]] Italy launched the disastrous [[First Italo-Abyssinian War]] against Ethiopia from its territories in [[Eritrea]] and Somalia. In [[1905]], Italy finally accepted the responsibility to create a colony in Southern Somalia, after several tentatives had failed. <ref>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism in Somalia'' Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966. p 101</ref>
-In [[1920]] the Societa Agricola Italo-Somala (SAIS) was founded by the Prince [[Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi]], in order to explore the agricultural potentials of Africa.
-On December 5, 1923 [[Fascism]] came to Somalia through the Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi di Val Cismon. He brought with him forceful ways of colonial rule and ideas. After the collapse of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan’s movement, rebellion and revolt ocured with disputes between different tribes in Northern Somalia. The current government worked together again with the old tribesmen in order to try and keep peace between the several tribes, while maintaining very well control over the military. <ref>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism'', p 146</ref>
+The administrative regulators were Governor Mercantelli with six subdivisions of [[Brava]], [[Merca]], Lugh, Itala, [[Bardera]], and Jumbo. In April 5, 1908 there was a basic law founded to unite all of the parts of southern Somalia into an area called ''Somalia Italiana''.
-In [[1925]] the colony in Somalia was extended when [[Jubaland]] was acquired from the British colony of [[Kenya]].
+The colonial power was then divided between the Parliament, Metropolitan government, and the colonial government. The power of the colonial government was the only power that was changed. The Civil governor controlled export rights, regulated the rate of exchange, raised or lowered native taxes, and administered all civil services and matters relating to hunting, fishing, and conservation <ref name=Hess-102>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism'', p 102</ref>. The Governor was in control of the Police force, while nominating local residents and military arrangements <ref name=Hess-102/>
-In [[1936]], after the [[Second Italo-Abyssinian War]], Italian Somalia became part of [[Italian East Africa]]. The new colony also included Ethiopia and Eritrea.
-During the East African Campaign, Italy successfully conquered [[British Somaliland]] in [[1940]] but in the Allied counter offensive it lost control over its East African colonies in [[1942]]. Italian Somalia was under British administration until [[1949]] when it became a [[United Nations Trust Territory]] under Italian administration. Somalia became independent in [[1960]], yet it still continues today with civil wars, trying to finally have a stable government after colonial rule for many years.
+In [[1920]] the Societa' Agricola Italo-Somala (SAIS) was founded by the Prince [[Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi]], in order to explore the agricultural potentials of Africa. This society promoted the immigration to Somalia of thousands of Italian farmers as colonists.
+[[Image:Italian East Africa - 1936-1940.svg|thumb|right|300px|The biggest extention of Italian Somalia was reached during the [[Italian empire]] (1936-1941), when southern parts of conquered Ethiopia were assigned to Somalia (like Ogaden)]]
+The Italians brought to Somalia a huge development of [[Catholicism]] embraced by nearly 20% of the population in the 1940s, and supported by the creation of churches and many missions. The biggest catholic cathedral in Africa was built in [[Mogadishu|Mogadiscio]] in the 1920s (but was destroyed in the actual civil war of Somalia).[http://www.italosomali.org/Catt.htm]
+==Fascism and the Italian Empire==
+On December 5, 1923 [[Fascism]] came to Somalia through the Governor [[Cesare Maria De Vecchi]]. He brought with him forceful ways of colonial rule and ideas. After the collapse of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan’s movement, rebellion and revolt ocurred with disputes between different tribes in Northern Somalia. The current government worked together again with the old tribesmen in order to try and keep peace between the several tribes, while maintaining very well control over the military. <ref>Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism'', p 146</ref> After a few years De Vecchi obtained complete control of the territory and in the 1930s was started a successful process of integration with the moslem somalis.
+In [[1926]] the colony in Somalia was extended when [[Jubaland]] was acquired from the British colony of [[Kenya]], following agreements after [[WWI]].
+[[Image:JubalandPostageStamps.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Trans-Juba postage stamps of 1926.]]
+In the late 1930s Italian Somalia started to enjoy a period of huge economic development around the settlemtent of many thousands of [[Italians]] in the area of Mogadishu and "Villaggio Duca d'Abruzzo" (actual [[Jowhar]]).
+In [[1936]], after the [[Second Italo-Abyssinian War]], Italian Somalia became part of [[Italian East Africa]]. The new colony also included Ethiopia and Eritrea. In his new [[Italian empire]], [[Mussolini]] administratively enlarged Somalia including [[Ogaden]], populated by somali tribes.
+During the East African Campaign, Italy successfully conquered [[British Somaliland]] in [[1940]] and annexed it to Somalia. Even some areas of eastern [[Kenya]] were occupied by italian troops in summer of that year.
+But in the Allied counter offensive it lost control over its East African colonies in [[1942]]. Even if there was an [[Italian guerrilla war in Ethiopia|Italian guerrilla]] until 1943, Somalia was lost forever for the Italians and after [[WWII]] the [[United Nations]] denied the request of Italy to maintain the somalian colony in [[1947]].
+Italian Somalia was under British administration until [[1949]] when it became a [[United Nations Trust Territory]] under Italian administration. Somalia became independent in [[1960]], yet it still continues today with civil wars, trying to finally have a stable government after colonial rule for many years.
+All the Italians have fled the country after the start of the civil wars in the early 1990s, following the end of [[Siad Barre]] rule.[http://www.italosomali.org]
 ==Notes==
 {{reflist}}
-== References ==
+==Bibliography ==
 *Hess, Robert L. ''Italian Colonialism in Somalia''. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1966.
 *Tripodi, Paolo. ''The Colonial Legacy in Somalia''. New York: St. Martin's P Inc,, 1999.
 *Fitzgerald, Nina J. ''Somalia''. New York: Nova Science, Inc., 2002.
+==See also==
+*[[Italian empire]]
+*[[Italian Somaliland lira]]
 [[Category:History of Somalia]]
+[[Category:History of Italy]]
 [[bg:Италианска Сомалия]]