In October 1911 the Italians, after declaring
war on Turkey, landed troops in Tripoli. A month
later Giolitti announced the annexation of Libya.
But the Turks refused to give in. The Italians now
escalated the war, attacking in April 1912 the
Dardanelles and occupying a number of Aegean
islands. By October 1912 the Turks had had
enough and the war ended.
The consequences of the war were, however,
far from over. As peace was signed, Montenegro,
Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece began a new war, the
first Balkan war, attacking Turkey. Italy’s policy
cannot be said to have caused the Balkan wars but
its success, and Turkey’s proven isolation, had
certainly encouraged the Balkan states. Setting
the Balkans alight was the last thing Giolitti
wanted, yet that is what occurred. Just as serious
were the reactions at home. Giolitti desired only
limited expansion, but a reversion to a cautious
pacific policy had been difficult. The nationalists
thirsted for more colonies, more territory. And
so it came about that Giolitti had unleashed a
political force more powerful than he could
control.