Italy, 1861–1914: did the sea build a state and an empire?

Summary

ABSTRACT. Italy's geographical situation as a peninsula in the central Mediterranean seems to offer large opportunities for seaborne trade linked to overland routes, but in practice Italy's underdeveloped industries, ports and railways left it behind its neighbours until well into the 20^th century. The navy was intended to defend the vulnerable coastline and to seek an empire overseas, which was found in parts of East Africa and, in the Turkish War of 1911, in Libya. In a state marked by poverty and structural weakness, the navy was one the more efficient agencies.

RÉSUMÉ.En tant que péninsule au centre de la Méditerranée, la situation géographique de l'Italie semble lui offrir de nombreuses opportunités de commerce maritime associé à des itinéraires terrestres. En réalité, le sous-développement des industries, ports et chemins de fer italiens la laissèrent loin derrière ses voisins jusqu'au milieu du XX^e siècle. La marine avait pour rôle la défense des côtes littorales vulnérables et la formation d'un empire colonial, qui se constitua de certaines régions d'Afrique de l'est, puis de la Libye pendant la guerre italo-turque de 1911. Dans un état marqué par la pauvreté et la faiblesse structurelle, la marine fut l'une des organisations les plus efficaces.

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the influence of the sea on the Italian Kingdom from 1861 to 1914. The aim is to understand if Italy was a sea power and if the naval and maritime components of the state were important. Writing in 1893, Major Cristoforo Manfredi argued that Italy had never understood whether she was a continental or a maritime power. He argued that she was both, and that the sea was the key to her future development.

We fought for unity and independence and we have won. Now we have to fight for prosperity. … We must give the Italian State what it needs to be respected, feared and, as a result, prosperous. A great nation that is not respected and feared cannot be prosperous. Our field of expansion is the sea, and beyond the sea.

This was the roadmap for some opinion makers and some politicians. In fact, a lot of backwardness blocked Italian sea power: natural gaps, economic poverty, lack of commercial mindset, a difficult geopolitical situation and national traditions, according to which Italians were farmers more than they were seamen.