Of the European powers, Italy was probably the most troubled by the conflict in South Africa. Could Italy, traditionally on friendly terms with Great Britain, and without territory in southern Africa, view the war other than through British eyes? Memories of the Risorgimento, however, pushed the Italians towards supporting the Boers. As a result, Italian policy seemed hesitant, divided between national interests and popular sentiments.

There is little Italian writing on this subject: few historians have been interested in it, except to explore the participation of Italian volunteers on the Boer side. The war was followed at a distance because Italy was engaged in a complex foreign policy that had to reconcile friendship with Great Britain, maintenance of the Triple Alliance, and rapprochement with France. Nevertheless, lack of interest was not complete: Britain was important in the diplomatic life of Italy, and what affected it could not leave indifferent the Italian ministry of foreign affairs, the Consulta. Beyond the reaction of Italy to this conflict there is the question of the consequences of this reaction for the policy and interests of Italy itself.

Part I of what follows will address Anglo-Italian relations up to 1899, and it will be seen that these relations, traditionally good, had become strained since 1890. Part II will analyse the immediate reactions of Italy and of the Vatican to the conflict, through their views of the belligerents and of the causes of the war, both on the level of policy and on that of public opinion.