Somalia was colonized by European powers in the 19th century. Britain and Italy established the colonies of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland in 1884 and 1889, respectively. These two Somali lands eventually united and gained independence on July 1, 1960. ... Somalia soon became infamous as a failed state.

What was Somalia called before colonization?

British Somaliland, nominally independent as the State of Somaliland (now Somaliland) for four days, merged as planned with the trust territory in 1960. Together, they formed the independent Somali Republic under a civilian government, the Somali National Assembly, headed by Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf.

Did Somalia get colonized by Italy?

Italy obtained control of it in 1889 and it was incorporated as a state in Italian East Africa in 1936. Britain invaded in 1941 and retained control until it became a UN trust territory under Italian administration in 1950. In 1960 it was united with British Somaliland to form the independent Republic of Somalia.