Italian East Africa

Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial possession created in 1936 by combining Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Italian Somaliland. It ended with Italy’s defeat in East Africa during World War II.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War: A war from 1935 to 1937 in which Fascist Italy invaded and occupied Ethiopia. Italy’s invasion produced the occupation that was incorporated into the colony.
Viceroy of Italian East Africa: The senior Italian official who governed Italian East Africa on behalf of the king and Fascist government. The viceroy coordinated colonial administration across the possession’s three territories.
Ethiopian resistance to Italian occupation: Armed and political opposition to Italy’s occupation of Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941. Resistance continued throughout the colonial period and challenged Italy’s control.
British Somaliland: A British protectorate in the Horn of Africa that later formed part of Somalia. It remained under British control rather than joining Italian East Africa.
Italian war crimes: Violations of the laws and customs of war committed by Italian forces, including during colonial campaigns. The use of chemical weapons and reprisals in Ethiopia remains central to assessing the occupation.
Ethiopian Empire: A sovereign empire in the Horn of Africa that existed in varying forms until 1974. Its 1936 conquest supplied the largest and newest territory in the colonial possession.
Italian East African lira: A currency issued for use in Italian East Africa from 1938 to 1941. Its issuance was one attempt to integrate the colony’s economy.
East African campaign (World War II): The Allied campaign that defeated Italian forces in Italian East Africa from 1940 to 1941. Its outcome brought the colonial possession under Allied military control.
French Somaliland: A French territory in the Horn of Africa, now the Republic of Djibouti. Its continued French rule contrasted with Italy’s brief control of neighboring regions.
Second Italo-Ethiopian War chemical weapons: Italy’s use of mustard gas and other chemical agents during the 1935–1936 invasion of Ethiopia. The weapons’ use and its documentation expose the violence behind the colony’s creation.

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