Italy in Eritrea

Before the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the Conte di Cavour, the Government of the Kingdom of Sardinia, had interests in East Africa.

The colonial authority in Italy had inspired by the imperial quests and the call of united Italia, to fulfil its aspirations in Africa. It took concrete step towards East Africa with the purchase of Assab Bay and Massawa following a landing, with the consequent expansion on the Eritrean plateau.

Italy supported this step by taking of possession of various areas on the Indian Ocean, the conquest of Libya through various agreements, especially those following the First World War in 1914-18. Italy used colonial police operations, stating it went, slowly, painstakingly, tenaciously, struggles between political and bloody battles, hopes and disappointments, work and sacrifices, to maintain the boundaries of the three Italian colonies: Eritrea, Somalia, and Libya.

Inside the boundaries so reached, each colony constitutes a very clear political and economic entity.

What were the reasons that led Africa to be in our priorities?

What were the reasons that gave heart to our soldiers, to do everything and die heroes?

What were the reasons that determined the migration in recent years (rilevantissima), farmers, industrialists, traders, technicians, and workers, to that land, especially in the first impressions were, by many, considered poor and lacking any economic future?

Political, strategic, economic, demographic, you will say: agree, but not enough. Something more animated all our emigrants in the land of Africa, all pervaci by the same spirit that had led, Italians sailors, explorers, missionaries in unknown lands by the spirit of "colonization", to bring, the people's of Africa to a level of civilization ever higher.

To Be Continued . . .