Libya
Motives for Imperialism
It is unlikely that Italy made her claims out of economic considerations. No valuable raw materials of any kind had yet been discovered in Libya. All that country had to offer was dates, camel hair, fish and sponge. On the other hand, Libya was a convenient base for further con-quests in Africa, a wedge and springboard from where Italy could thrust forward in all directions. By gaining possession of Libya it would be possible to threaten French Tunisia, the area around Lake Chad, British Egypt and the East Sudan.
Gaining Control of Libya
Italy began preparations for the seizure of Libya in 1880. First came a series of diplomatic maneuvers. In 1887, Italy concluded an agreement with Britain and Austria-Hungary on the status quo in the Mediterranean. It was directed against France and French claims on Tripoli and Morocco. According to this agreement, Britain, Austria and Italy pledged to observe the status quo in the Mediterranean, but stressed that should the status quo change they would not allow any other power to gain a foothold on the North African coast. In other words, Britain, Austria-Hungary and Italy brushed aside France’s claims to Libya and Morocco. Moreover, Italy promised to support Britain’s cause in Egypt and demanded that Britain should back Italy on any other part of the North African coast, especially in Libya.
In the special German-Italian agreement of 1887, which was added to the treaty on the renewal of the alliance between Britain, Austria and Italy, the following reservation was made. Germany and Italy would not permit France’s consolidation in Morocco and Tripoli and should France undertake any actions in that region, Germany would back Italy in a war against France. Simultaneously, a secret Italian-Austrian treaty was concluded to the effect that in event of violation of the status quo in the Mediterranean, the North African countries should not be partitioned other than by mutual agreement on the basis of mutual compensation. An similar secret agreement between Italy and Spain was concluded in 1887. Thus, in 1887, Italy had gained the sanction of Britain, Germany, Austria and Spain for the seizure of Tripoli, Libya.
In 1900, Italy concluded an agreement with France on separation of spheres of influence in the Mediterranean. Under this agreement, France renounced all claims on Tripoli in Italy’s favor, in return for which Italy granted France freedom of action in Morocco. The agreement was ratified in 1902 and renewed in October 1912, when France and Italy recognized each other’s claims to the annexed territories.
Italy safeguarded its invasion in Tripoli by secret agreements and deals at the expense of the weaker peoples. Britain supported Italy because she preferred to have this feeble country next to Egypt, reasoning that Italian expansion would be preferable to French and German expansion in Tripoli. Germany and Austria-Hungary were rewarding Italy for her participation in the Triple Alliance, France was rewarding Italy for its virtual renunciation of the Triple Alliance and for its non-interference in Moroccan affairs.
In the special German-Italian agreement of 1887, which was added to the treaty on the renewal of the alliance between Britain, Austria and Italy, the following reservation was made. Germany and Italy would not permit France’s consolidation in Morocco and Tripoli and should France undertake any actions in that region, Germany would back Italy in a war against France. Simultaneously, a secret Italian-Austrian treaty was concluded to the effect that in event of violation of the status quo in the Mediterranean, the North African countries should not be partitioned other than by mutual agreement on the basis of mutual compensation. An similar secret agreement between Italy and Spain was concluded in 1887. Thus, in 1887, Italy had gained the sanction of Britain, Germany, Austria and Spain for the seizure of Tripoli, Libya.
In 1900, Italy concluded an agreement with France on separation of spheres of influence in the Mediterranean. Under this agreement, France renounced all claims on Tripoli in Italy’s favor, in return for which Italy granted France freedom of action in Morocco. The agreement was ratified in 1902 and renewed in October 1912, when France and Italy recognized each other’s claims to the annexed territories.
Italy safeguarded its invasion in Tripoli by secret agreements and deals at the expense of the weaker peoples. Britain supported Italy because she preferred to have this feeble country next to Egypt, reasoning that Italian expansion would be preferable to French and German expansion in Tripoli. Germany and Austria-Hungary were rewarding Italy for her participation in the Triple Alliance, France was rewarding Italy for its virtual renunciation of the Triple Alliance and for its non-interference in Moroccan affairs.
Managing the Colony and Effects
Apart from diplomatic actions, Italy also made adequate preparations inside Libya. In 1901, an Italian parliamentary delegation visited Libya. Italian naval officers dressed themselves up as fishermen, caught sponge off the shores of Tripoli and at the same time photo-graphed the Libyan coast.
In 1900, the Italian press had begun calling on the government to take over Libya on the grounds that this region “naturally belonged” to the Italians. It was at this stage that an Italian geographer took the word “Libya” from ancient history and began using it in reference to Tripoli. One of the biggest Italian banks opened branches in Tripoli. Italians bought lands there through non-existent persons and set up agricultural establishments. Italian steamship lines monopolized the traffic between Libya and Europe. Italian engineers planned the construction of a railway from Tobruk, Libya to Alexandria, Egypt. In Tobruk, the most convenient natural harbor on the Libyan coast, Italy intended to set up her own naval base. Italian catholic missions and Italian schools were opened in Libya. Extensive literature appeared in Italy on Libya; Italian geographers began calling it “our Promised Land.”
In 1900, the Italian press had begun calling on the government to take over Libya on the grounds that this region “naturally belonged” to the Italians. It was at this stage that an Italian geographer took the word “Libya” from ancient history and began using it in reference to Tripoli. One of the biggest Italian banks opened branches in Tripoli. Italians bought lands there through non-existent persons and set up agricultural establishments. Italian steamship lines monopolized the traffic between Libya and Europe. Italian engineers planned the construction of a railway from Tobruk, Libya to Alexandria, Egypt. In Tobruk, the most convenient natural harbor on the Libyan coast, Italy intended to set up her own naval base. Italian catholic missions and Italian schools were opened in Libya. Extensive literature appeared in Italy on Libya; Italian geographers began calling it “our Promised Land.”
Algeria
The French colonized Algeria in 1847, after a long conflict between Muslim Africans there and the French. Prior to French occupation, Algeria had a rich Muslim culture; however, the French quality worked to suppress Muslim customs and culture. Algeria and Morocco remained under French control for more than 100 years.
The French were drawn to Algeria for several reasons. Urged by the desire to have prestige gain more wealth, France raced, like many European countries, to colonize Africa. Algeria’s location along the Mediterranean Sea was also an important feature in France’s desire to occupy the region. The coastal regions were comprised of land perfect for vineyards and citrus groves. Algeria also exported a lot of natural gas and oil. Because of the large Algerian population at their disposal, French companies and firms set up factories and sent the native people to work. Algerians were also forced at times to join the French military and fight for France.
Though France initially allowed Algeria to have some internal political autonomy, over time France seized more direct control over the government in Algeria. France followed a policy of “civilization” of the native people in order to convert them to Christianity and mold society to follow French lines. Colonizers forced Algerians to speak and write French, as well. Primary education was provided to Algerians, and their French literacy grew enormously. Many Algerians died as a result of strict and brutal French rule in Algeria, it is believed to be about 1/3 of Algeria’s population.
The French were drawn to Algeria for several reasons. Urged by the desire to have prestige gain more wealth, France raced, like many European countries, to colonize Africa. Algeria’s location along the Mediterranean Sea was also an important feature in France’s desire to occupy the region. The coastal regions were comprised of land perfect for vineyards and citrus groves. Algeria also exported a lot of natural gas and oil. Because of the large Algerian population at their disposal, French companies and firms set up factories and sent the native people to work. Algerians were also forced at times to join the French military and fight for France.
Though France initially allowed Algeria to have some internal political autonomy, over time France seized more direct control over the government in Algeria. France followed a policy of “civilization” of the native people in order to convert them to Christianity and mold society to follow French lines. Colonizers forced Algerians to speak and write French, as well. Primary education was provided to Algerians, and their French literacy grew enormously. Many Algerians died as a result of strict and brutal French rule in Algeria, it is believed to be about 1/3 of Algeria’s population.