Franco-Italian war of 1890

### Terriotal Changes

Loss of Land in Italy, Eritrea ceded to Ethiopia, Italian Libya cedes southern lands

## Belligerents

### Side 1

Kingdom of Italy, Algerian Independence movement.Support:Great Britain, Ottoman Empire

### Side 2

1st Republic of France, Kingdom of EthiopiaSupport:Tsardom of Russia, Empire of Austria-Hungary

## Strenghth

### Label

Troops-196,000 Ethiopians; 250,000 Italians; 150,000 French; 10,000 Russian volunteers; 7,000 Algerian Rebels

### Label

Deaths- 18,000 Ethiopians; 75,000 Italians; 50,000 French; 1,500 Russians; 4,000 Algerians

The New Kingdom of Italy founded in 1861 become increasing expansive to see that itself is on the Global Stage. In the previous years before the war broke out the Italian colonizing in Africa conflicted with France. France wanted Libya so it could connect it's new Egyptian Colony. Following the Berlin conference of 1864 the two nations had major disputes over Libya. Italy soon invaded Ethiopia seeing to that the Italian nation can expand her colonies in East Africa. What followed was France declaring war on Italy for "invading" a neutral nation. Secret treaties were made between France and Emperor Menelik III knowing that eventually Italy would invade them. Russia would also offer some support by selling equipment to the Ethiopians. King Alfonso of Italy was surprised and ordered a quick mobilization. Also Italy's longtime king Francis II died of health problems adding to the confusion of the war with the Italian Leadership.

## War-1890

### Ethiopian Front

Emperor Menelik already backed by French troops halted the Italian Advance by Oreste Baratieri which reached near the Capital. As a result, a hastily mobilized army of 196,000 men gathered from all parts of Ethiopia most armed with modern rifles. The battle of Adwa occurred in-which the Italians were defeated and pushed back to Eritrea and they dug into defensive trenches for the rest of the year.

### North African Front

The Italians already mobilizing 50,000 troops in Libya began to move their new more mobile troops using some new Calvary units and brand new field artillery given by the British. The French would advance first but be halted outside of Tobruk and then the Italian navy would come out of the port and shell the French postions and the French navy jumped in action combating the leaving both sides without naval support. The Italian counter attack would drive the french across the border to Sidi Barrani as the French near Marsa Matruh dug in for the year.

### Alpine Front

The Italians would land 15,000 troops in the important island of Corsica taking Ajaccio and spreading out to take the rest of the Island. French Mountaineers already prepped and ready with 100,000 men advanced across the border easily overrunning Italian postions but they were halted outside of Turin in which the Italian commander with brand new field artillery launched a brave assault at them as a lot of soldiers died due to friendly fire on both sides but it was a French victory with both sides losing up to 15,000 men each.

## War-1891

### Alpine Front

After the victory at Turin the French followed up with taking Genoa and overrunning all Italian postions till they reached the River Ticino which was the only thing between Milan and France. So the french used new platoon bridges to get across after the Italians destroyed all Bridges. The Italians halted a brave but horrible defense at Milan in which the city fell to the French invaders after a tough battle that went on for 6 months. When Milan fell that was one of the main reasons why Italy surrendered.

### North African Front

The Italian men of the 1st army overran the French forces in Marsa Matruh after important battle. The Italians were in reach of Alexandria but sadly the Government surrendered after they took El Alamein due to pressure from Milan falling. Algerian rebels would pop up in Bejaia near Algiers as the revolt continued well over 6 months after the war ended. The Algerian revolt made the French realize they would have to quickly make a treaty before any of their other colonies could revolt or possibly the Algerians linking up with the Italians.

### Ethiopian Front

The Ethiopian forces would overrun the Italian forces almost kicking them out of East Africa after a combine attack from the French Red Sea fleet and the charge of the Ethiopians drove them out and over 30,000 Italians surrendered there. Somalia still held but when the peace treaty happened the Italians were allowed to keep it but after war reparations, the government decide to sell it in 1894 to the British to gain a little bit more money and later in 1905 the Italians joined the Bristol Pact.

## Treaty of Lyon

Article 1-Italy shall cede Italian Eritrea to Ethiopia

Article 2-Italy shall pull out of Corsica and cede bordering land in Italy all the way up to the Ticino river and that area shall be demiliztered by both sides for 5 years.

Article 3-A 20 year non aggression pact shall be signed with Ethiopia, a 10 year one with France.

Article 4- Italy shall pay 3 million dollars in 1891 money to France, and a half a million to Ethiopia.

Article 5-Italy shall not support the Algerian rebels anymore.

Article 6-Italy shall give southern Italian Tripolitana to the 1st Republic of France.