Why Ethiopia defeated Italy in the Adwa battle.

Ethiopia came from the Ancient Empire of Ethiopia. They were very strategic in their international dealings.

 

There is a consensus view among scholars relating to independence of Ethiopia and Liberia. The two of fifty-four countries in Africa were never colonized. The truth, however, is much more complex and subjects to debate. This text is narrowed to understanding the pivotal event that led to the preservation of Ethiopia independence: the battle of Adwa between Italy and the African giant.

The late nineteenth century saw Africa destined to come under European colonial rule, European power had defeated african power. Meanwhile, Ethiopia succeeded in thwarting European conquest and preserving its own independence. 

The event that perfectly describes the magnitude of resistance to Italian colonial advance from Eritrea was the battle of Adwa fought on Sunday 1 March 1896. First in history a black African army under the leadership of Emperor Menelik decisively defeated an European giant. 

Battle of Adwa between Ethiopia and Italy-1896

A point where scholars may diverge in facts is whether Ethiopia had support from any ally or not. Some believe  Ethiopian forces had high numerical superiority and weapons supplied by Russia and France. Other historians give a total credence to Ethiopia: the battle of Adwa marked the first time in the modern era that a non-European power had defeated a European power without the aid of an European ally.

What led to the defeat?

Wrong Assumption: 

Italians had assumed wrongly that it could play on factional conflict within Ethiopia. Creating enmity among various groups in Ethiopia was the core strategy of the European country. As a result the Italians were unprepared for the unity Emperor Menelik was able to inspire, and thus the Italians drastically underestimated the size of the Ethiopian army.

Strategic Millitary Campaign:

Emperor Menelik made sure unhealthy differences and whatever had to do with political unrest were settled among  Ethiopians. The united Ethiopians could then raise a formidable military force. Menelik’s forces didn’t merely outnumber the Italians; the Emperor also outmaneuvered them,  one of the great military campaigns of modern history.

Painting of Emperor Nuges Menelik II of Ethiopia at battle of Adwa 1896

Adwa battle told a different story about European domination. Before then, the European supremacy had become strong that people perceived its penetration as inevitable.

There are a number of complex reasons for Italian failure at Adwa, but the italian leadership's wrong assumption and Emperor Menelik´s strategic campaign were the principal reasons for the defeat.

By Stephen Amanor