Modern Era · Africa · Politics

1936

Italian East Africa proclaimed

May 9, 1936

Mussolini proclaimed the creation of Italian East Africa from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia to a cheering crowd. Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Italian Somaliland were joined under one viceroyalty. The fascist colonial project had reached its apex. It would all be gone within five years when British and Ethiopian forces drove the Italians out.