Since 1923, Mussolini believed to be able to open a new colonial era. The African region in which the plans to extend the Italian influence is mainly oriented to Ethiopia. On May 5 1936, Italians occupy Addis Ababa. The king becomes emperor, and Mussolini announces to the world: "Behold, after fifteen centuries, the reemergence of the Empire on the fateful hills of Rome." Italy is now pushing toward an alliance with Hitler.