War economy: the contribution of Eritrea in the imperial framework from the Commissione annonaria of Asmara to the Azienda Speciale Approvvigionamenti (1934-1941)

The war was a factor constantly present in the colonial history of Italy, as it is possible to appreciate especially in the Thirties, also about the economic contribution of Eritrea in the framework of the Italian imperial system and to the problem of supplies and tools created to meet the shortcomings of the indigenous production system. Through the study of sources from the Archivio Storico del Ministero degli Affari Esteri, the Archivio Centrale dello Stato, the Archivio Storico della Banca d’Italia and the Istituto Agronomico per l’Oltremare, this article intends to deepen the theme of the war economy, analysing not only the role of Eritrea as a whole, but also deepening the contribution of institutions such as the Commissione annonaria of Asmara and the Azienda Speciale Approvvigionamenti, created by the authorities colonial to provide for the supply of consumer goods for the civilian population.