Italian East African Empire

The Italian East African Empire was a short-lived colony established by Fascist Italy in 1936, consisting of present-day Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Italian Somaliland. Italy aimed to expand its colonial empire and showcase its imperial power, leading to the annexation of Ethiopia after a brutal invasion. The empire was governed as a single territory but faced resistance from local populations. It lasted until 1941, when Allied forces liberated the region during World War II. This episode reflects Italy’s aggressive colonial ambitions and the complex history of African and European interactions during that period.