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Decline of Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was declining in the late 1800s. The Ottoman Empire's military weakness was becoming more apparent. European powers saw this weakness and decided to expand their territories. One of the first lands that was taken was Algeria by France in 1830. Slowly the Ottoman Empire was losing control of their lands, The Ottoman's Empire was also weaking in Libya which had control of Tripolithan, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. -
Muslim Leader
The Muslim leader that established the headquarters of the Sanusi (Senussi) religious brotherhood in Cyrenaica was Muhammad Ali ibn al-Sanusi. Cyrenaica is in eastern Libya. The development of this religious organization would develop into a powerful political force. The Sanusi would later resist the take over by the Italians in Libya. -
Italy interested in Libya
Since the Ottoman Empire in Libya was weakening, Italy became interested in extending its power. Italy started to expand its trade to all the main Libyan ports. Libya bordered the Mediterranean Sea. Italy started to spread their Italian culture by opening Italian schools and businesses. Italy was slowly trying to gain control of Libya. -
Invasion of Libya
Italy invaded Libya on October 4, 1911 and was able to defeat the Ottoman Turks. Italy took over the provinces of Tripolitania, capital Tripoli, and Cyrenaica, capital Behghazi. This defeat was in the beginning of the Turko-Italian War which lasted from September 28, 1911 to October 18, 1912. A large Muslim religious group, called the Sanusi (Senussi), was trying to resist the Italian rule. Italy seized these two provinces as a colony. -
Treaty of Lausanne
The Italians convinced the Ottomans to sign a peace treaty with Italy. The treaty stated that the Ottoman troops needed to withdraw from Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. The treaty was called the Treaty of Lausanne and was signed on October 18, 1912. This treaty annexed these two provinces to Italy so Italy had control of them. Italy was the ruler of this part of Libya. This take over some would say was a factor to the beginning of WWI. -
Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, a fascist dictator of Italy, wanted to conquer all of Libya stating that Libya was formerly part of the Roman Empire. He launched an assault on the interior regions. This war lasted almost a decade. The Italian forces had severe resistance from the Sanusi in Cyrenaica. Italians put numerous Libyans into concentration camps where many were tortured and died. The Italian government took the land and gave it to new Italian settlers. -
Growth of Italians in Libya
Italian immigrants were immigrating to Libya because Mussolini took over Libya and was giving the land to new settlers. By 1940, there were 110,000 Italians in Libya. This made up about 12% of Libya's total population. Italian government was developing Libya and was improving the roads, railroads, sanitation, and medical care. The Sanusi even though they were with limited power were still able to practice Islam. However, the Libyans did not receive education and were unable to get good jobs. -
Libya Gained Independence
The United Nations granted Libya independence and Libya was now a constitutional monarchy. The head of the Sanusi, Idris al-Sanusi, became known as King Idris I. Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan were all united and formed the United Kingdom of Libya. King Idris ruled until 1969. He was a weak leader and had little support outside of Cyrenaica. Some criticized him for having a close relationship with Britain and the United States. -
Oil Discovered in Libya
Oil was discovered in 1959 in Libya by the United States. The oil was found in Cyrenaica. The comany that found the oil was Esso which is now known as Exxon. Libya's oil was high quality and was exported to Europe. The income that Libya received for the oil helped Libya's struggling economy and soon Libya was becoming a wealthy nation. The discovery of oil was a turning point for Libya. -
Muammar al-Gaddafi
When King Idris was on a visit to Turkey, he was overthrown by some members of the armed forces led by Muammar al-Gaddafi. Muammar al-Gaddafi was a firm ruler and had a reputation of being eccentric and an unpredictable dictator.He took control of most economic activities in the country. He wrote a book called The Green Book which was a three volume book. The book contained all his political philosophies, the economy, and social issues. He ruled Libya for 42 years. -
Libya's Strained Relations with the United States
During the 1980s, there was a strained relationship with the United States. The US accused Gaddafi of aiding terrorists. Libya accused the US of trying to overthrow its government. In January 1986, President Ronald Reagan broke all economic ties with Libya. Libya fired missiles at US military aircrafts. The US then bomed Tripoli and Benghazi. The US bombed these places because there was evidence that Libya bombed a nightclub in Berlin that killed American servicemen.
