The Italian Empire and the Great War

The Italian Empire and the Great War explores how Italy's imperial ambitions and colonial experiences shaped its participation in the First World War, with the war seen as a means to expand Italy's territory and influence globally. The book examines how Italian race theories informed its colonial approach to military occupation and its campaigns in Africa, highlighting the mutilated victory as an imperial and national sentiment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Italian Empire and the Great War offer a unique perspective on the Italian experience of the First World War, intertwining imperial and colonial dimensions. The decision to go to war in 1915 was directly influenced by Italian imperial ambitions that had been growing since the late 19th century, particularly with the conquest of Libya in 1911–12. The Italian Empire was envisioned as both a system of overseas colonies under Italian sovereignty and an informal global empire of emigrants, both of which were mobilized to support the war efforts from 1915 to 1918.

The war was conceived as a means to expand Italy's influence and achieve greater status on a global scale. Italy deployed troops to various regions, including the Balkans, Russia, and the Middle East, in pursuit of this goal, although with limited success. The war also played out in Italy's newest colony, Libya, where anti-colonial resistance linked up with the Ottoman Empire, Germany, and Austria to undermine Italian rule.

Italian race theories played a significant role in underpinning this expansionism. The book delves into how Italian constructions of whiteness and racial superiority informed a colonial approach to military occupation in Europe and the conduct of its campaigns in Africa.

After the war, Italy's failures at the Peace Conference further solidified the perception of a mutilated victory as an imperial as well as a national sentiment. The analysis examines events in Paris alongside the military occupations in the Balkans, Asia Minor, and efforts to resolve conflicts in Libya to assess the rhetoric and reality of Italian imperialism.

The Italian Empire and the Great War shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of Italy's involvement in the First World War, highlighting the interplay between imperial ambitions, colonialism, race theories, and military occupations. It provides a valuable insight into the complex dynamics of a nation seeking to expand its influence and shape the world order during a period of profound global change.

Weight: 638g
Dimension: 324 x 242 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198822943