The Economic Development of Libya and Its Role in Shaping the Political Situation from the Ottoman Era to the Republican Era

Libya remained the focus of the colonizers due to the availability of many elements of strength that, if combined and well invested and employed, would enable a strong state to establish and maintain its independence. Some of these elements were available in Libya before it became limited in features, that is, before its borders were drawn by its colonizers. Libya had fertile lands, a strategic location and natural resources, but it lacked the human power that is considered one of the pillars of the state and one of the pillars of its strength. Without it, the material capabilities would not have that power.

Most of Libya's regions remained desert except for its coastal strip, which remained naturally inhabited due to the moderate climate and the availability of rain. This is what made most of the colonizers settle in these regions and not others. This attractive nature made many colonial countries turn to it, and this importance was increased by Libya's position as an intermediary in trade exchanges.  Which was and still plays an important role in the commercial communication between the north and the south and the east and the west, it is what pushed the Phoenicians to control the north and west of the Libyan coast, and pushed Carthage to be the successor to the Phoenicians in controlling this region, and also made it enter into a bitter conflict with the Romans for that.

The importance of this strategic location increased with the emergence of Libya as a striking naval power in the Mediterranean during the rule of the Karamanli dynasty, which made it impose its control over it, and thus control all commercial exchanges, which made many countries or empires move to colonize it, the strong takes it over and hands it over when weak to the stronger than him