Part 2/10:
Gaddafi's early life was steeped in the historical narrative of a Libya long ravaged by foreign powers—most notably, Italy during its early 20th-century occupation. The Ottomans had previously controlled Libya, which maintained a semblance of independence until European powers partitioned Africa. Gaddafi's childhood was marked by the stories of resistance against Italian invaders, which his father often recounted. This historical context significantly influenced Gaddafi's emerging political consciousness.