He began as a Sicilian revolutionary republican supporting Garibaldi’s invasion (1860) and ended as a monarchist, a friend of Bismarck, and twice a dictatorial Premier. During his first ministry (1887–91) a colonial administration was formally established (1889) in the Ethiopian province of Eritrea. Italy’s economic distress was aggravated by his tariff war against France, and he brutally suppressed a socialist uprising in Sicily. His foreign policy was based on friendship with Germany and adherence to Bismarck’s Triple Alliance. His second ministry (1893–96) witnessed the rout of the Italians by the Ethiopians at Adowa (1896). Italy was obliged to sue for peace and Crispi was forced from office.