LIBYA
Libya first joined the Ottoman Empire. They were colonized by Italy and impacted by both WW1, WW2, the Cold War, and still struggle today
HISTORY BEFORE 1911
Before the colonization of Libya, the country was not very populated, not many people lived there and it was mostly desert and emptiness. During the Islamic period and even before, Libya was split into two regions or provinces named Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. These two territories were more closely linked with countries neighboring themselves such as Tunisia and Egypt rather than each other.
Geography of Libya
- Placed on the northeastern coast of Africa, Libya borders Egypt on the east, Tunisia and Algeria on the west, and Sudan, Niger, and Chad on the south. Libya has a mediterranean coastline that is 1,200 miles long, where all the agricultural products are kept and grown. In present day, Libya is the 4th largest country in Africa. 95 percent known for desert and the last 5 percent is judged as "economically useful."
Major Kingdoms, States, and Leaders in Libya
Impact of the Age of New Imperialsm
Libya was colonized by the Italian empire. On October 3, 1911 the Italians attacked the capital of Libya, Tripoli. By taking the country from the Ottoman empire. Italy saw Libya as one of the only countries left to colonize in northern African territory because they had already taken over the other northern countries. They saw the Turks in the Ottoman Empire as weak people, The Italians wanted to conquer Libya, so they accused the Turks of arming tribesman. Italy sent an ultimatum explaining how they wanted to protect their interests in Libya, The Turks refused, therefore leading the Italians to declare war. On October 3rd, the Italians took over Tripoli and they grew from there.
Italy attempted to conquer Libya but was interrupted by World War I. After the war had ended there was a series of brutal military attacks on Libya to try and take over Libya. But, Libyans defended themselves for years. In 1932, Libya was fully colonized.
Libya experienced direct colony rule because Italy completely took over
Impact of World War I and World War II
World War I
World War I had a great impact on the country of Libya because of Allies and Wars. During World War I there were many small wars formed. The Italio-Turkish war was one of them. After the war, Italy had occupied most of the Libyan cities. But some cities still belonged to the Ottoman Empire and the natives. Some Turkish officers would send Arab troops to harass the Italians up north near the Mediterranean Sea. It was because of that, Italians learned the use of airships in warfare. After the Italio-Turkish war and at the beginning of World War 1, The Italians sent 2 hydrogen-filled airships out with multiple missions. With a total of 87 missions, Italy successfully dropped 330 bombs in Libya. This produced significant results such as battles and victories for the Italians. But overall this left Libya as a country of ruins. The land had been left completely destroyed.
Africans in Libya fought alongside the Ottoman Empire
Libya sided with the Ottoman Empire against the British Empire and Italy
World War 2
World War II also had an impact on Libya because of Italy and Great Britain's fights for ownership of the land. During the invasion of Egypt, Italy expanded to the east. In 1941, British troops started pushing Italian troops across the Egyptian-Libyan border. The Allied Powers were pushed east allowing Libya's borders to expand to most of the Western Desert. In 1942, Libya expanded into Tunisia, but Tunisia was ruled by France. Axis powers took control over Libya but then abandoned it and moved into Tunisia. Tunisia was given to France and the western part of the Desert was recaptured by British forces, Finally Libya was placed under British rule. Africans who lived in Libya were involved in troops and could be drafted to fight in war. When WW2 ended, Italy tried to get back the parts Northern Africa they once owned, but had no success. In 1947, Italy decided to give up all of their territory in Northern Africa. In 1949, the United Nations gave Libya independence. And In 1951 Libya was declared its own free country. People who were Italian that still lived in Libya moved back to Italy and the remaining were deported.
The Italians had been with the Axis powers, while the indigenous people were with the Allied Powers
people have estimated that the Italian rule killed over 80,000 Libyans in concentration camps
The Impact of the Cold War
Why did Russia want Libya?
After World War II the Soviets thought to expand its control near Northern Africa, their political influence throughout the Middle East, and their political influence near the Mediterranean Sea. Russia saw Libya as a base for long range bombers. Later on, The Soviet Union requested ownership over Tripolitania, one of Libya's three territories, at the Potsdam conference. Two months later the Soviets repeated their proposal. When it was rejected the USSR requested a trusteeship, but that was also declined by Great Britain and France. So in response, Russia wanted to minimize British and French influence in Libya and support the idea of Libya returning under the control of Italy.
Who's side was Libya on?
Libya supported the USSR, because they were thought of as one of Russia's greatest alliances and they declared that they would cooperate with the Soviet Union in all areas.
How did the war impact Libya?
In 1985, five american citizens were killed in terrorist attacks. The United States blamed Libya. The U.S. president at the time, Ronald Reagan ordered a series of attacks directed against Libya. On April 14, 1986, the United States launched air attacks against Libya because of their acts against American citizens. This raid involved more that 100 US aircrafts and was over in the time span of one hour. The U.S. hit 5 targets, including the headquarters of Muammar al-Qaddafi, the Libyan leader. This caused Qaddafi to set up a wide variety of terrorist groups attacking the United States and Great Britain. The bombing left Libya destroyed and deteriorated. This made a big impact during the Cold War
Libya's Independence
How did they gain independence?
Libya gained independence because of the United Nations in 1951. In 1943, Great Britain and France took control over Libya and divided the country into three regions, Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Frezzan. Great Britain took control over Tripolitania and France took over Cyrenaica and Frezzan. In 1947, Italy got back control over Libya. For the next two years Cyrenaica became an independent region, because of of Emir Sayyis Idris Sanussiy. Later in the year the United Nations gave independence to Libya. This had much significance because it was the first time an African country was given independence. The leaders of Libya's three regions came together and named Libya as an united kingdom that was led by Muhammad Idris. Also known as King Idris I. Libya declared their independence on December 24, 1951. It was the first country to be granted independence by the United Nations
Present Day Libya
Libya today is still going through violence and terror as they once were during the cold war, WW1, and WW2. Libya's population after receiving independence estimated at 1,166,000. This population consisted of Arab Muslims. Throughout the three territories in Libya, two-thirds of the population lived in Tripolitania, one-third lived in Cyrenaica, and very few people lived in Fezzan. Most of the indigenous population still isn't educated, making it close to 95 percent of them. Libya currently is going through instability in political views and the government has had many changes in the past years. Libya was ruled by Muammar Gaddafi until 2011, when a civil war occurred between people loyal to Gaddafi against crowds who opposed him. The rebel forces overthrew Gaddafi and his government in order to create the National Transitional Council as the new representative of Libya. On October 23, 2011, the National Transitional Council called an end to the war, after Gaddafi was killed.
Imperialism is not apart of Libya's society today. They are their own free country apart from Europeans.