Italy establishes the colony of Eritrea (1885–1890)

The Kingdom of Italy established Eritrea as a colony in the Horn of Africa, formalizing its presence through the royal decree of 1 January 1890. This administrative act consolidated earlier territorial acquisitions, including the occupation of Massawa and the recognition of Italian possession by the Ethiopian Empire in the Treaty of Wuchale. The colony's initial capital was Massawa, reflecting the strategic importance of the coastal port during the early phase of Italian colonial expansion.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Italian colonial presence in the region began with the 1869 purchase of Assab by the Rubattino Shipping Company, which came under government control in 1882. The occupation of Massawa in 1885 facilitated territorial expansion, leading to the Ethiopian Empire's recognition of Italian possessions in the Treaty of Wuchale in 1889. These developments set the stage for the formal establishment of the colony in 1890.

Establishment. The Colony of Eritrea was officially founded in 1890. The royal decree of 1 January 1890, n. 6592, declared Eritrea an Italian colony with its capital in Massawa. This administrative decision formalized the transition from commercial ownership to direct state control, marking the beginning of Italian colonial rule in the Horn of Africa.

Capital. The initial capital of the colony was Massawa, as specified in the 1890 royal decree. Asmara did not become the colonial capital until 1897, when Governor Ferdinando Martini declared it as such. This shift reflected the gradual expansion of Italian control into the highlands and the development of infrastructure connecting the coastal port to the interior.

People involved

Sources

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