Italian colonial expansion in Africa began in the late 19th century, when Italy seized control of the coastal regions of Eritrea and Somalia. Italy then expanded its control over the interior of the continent, establishing colonies in Ethiopia, Libya, and Somalia. Italy's colonial rule in Africa was marked by a policy of economic exploitation and political repression. The Italian colonial government also implemented a policy of forced labor, which led to the displacement of thousands of Africans and the deaths of many more. After World War II, Italy was forced to relinquish its colonies in Africa, and the legacy of Italian colonialism in Africa remains a source of tension and controversy to this day.
