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Ruled by Italy

Every problem has at least two sides to it. When something is moral to one, might be immoral to another. Colonization has been a controversial issue across the world. Some believe survival of the fittest should do as they please, others disagree.  The colonization of Libya is one of this many problems that led to bloodshed.

 Due to the Italian policies established in Libya on January 3, 1928, much revolt began to occur which reached a full-scale war. To prepare for the attack and colonization of Libya, Italy, started off by building a barbed fence from the Mediterranean to the oasis of Al- Jagbub in order to lessen the resistance of Libyans, cut of resources, and prevent any contact with the Senussi leadership in Egypt. Even today, the fence still stands, and was even shown in the Lion King. To lessen the support of the rebels, the colonial administration began the deportation of people living in Jebel Akhdar, a part of the Hajar mountains range in Oman .The forced migration resulted in more then 100,000 natives moving out of their homes an end up in concentration camps in Suluq and Al- ‘Aghea where tens of thousands died in terrible conditions. According to Arab Historians the number of Libyans who died ranged in the 80,000 due to combat, starvation, and diseases.  On the other hand Italian historians, Gentule, wrote that: “This amount is excessive, and only a few thousands died, mainly of disease and starvation”(2).

The capture and execution of Al-Mukhatar’s (Islamic revolutionary who led the revolution) left Libya in no hope to rebel anymore and therefore Libya was fully pacified and the new Italian governor Italo Balbo started a policy of integration between the Arabs and the Italians which proved to be a success. Mussolini’s publicized propaganda to suit his policies of confronting Britain and France. He declared himself the protector of Islam, and was presented with a symbolic sword. To keep control over Italy, Mussolini encouraged for Italian settlers to settle in Libya, in all 100,000 Italians made Libya their home. By 1939, Italians build 400km of new railroads and 4,000km of new roads and where completely assimilated in Libya.

In conclusion, the colonization of Libya hurt every aspect of the country from economy to hope. Italians used Libya to their advantage to support their economy, and to show the rest of Europe they can colonize a country in Africa. It all ended with bloodshed and loss of lives. 

 

 
Works Cited

"Axis History Forum " View topic - Italian Libya: 'colonization by demographics'" Axis History Forum " Index page. Feb. & march 2009. 12 May 2009 <http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=116389>.

 
"Libya -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 4 July 2007. 12 May 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/339574/Libya>.

 
"Libya / History." LookLex [Travel guides / Encyclopaedia / Language course]. 1 Feb. 2005. 12 May 2009 <http://looklex.com/e.o/libya.history.htm>.

 
"Libya:." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. Infoplease.com. 07 May 2009 <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107722.html>.

 
"New Towns in the Agrarian Colonization of Libya (1922-1940)." ArchNet: Islamic Architecture Community. 5 Feb. 2000. 07 May 2009 <http://www.archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.jsp?document_id=4944>.