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 20th 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 XXe 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.

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.