Leading up to the War
- Conflict first began to arise as Italy attempted to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia because they were already controlling Eritrea
- The conditions of the treaty Menelik II received said they could have relations with each other however, the Italian version said Italy had the right to establish a protectorate
- Menelik II denounced the Treaty of Wichale in 1893
- Italy continued to move in further as they already had control of Eritrea and first attacked in 1893 when they were met with tough resistance
Start of the War
- After the Italians first attacked in 1893, there were some small clashes between sides
- By 1895, Ethiopia had gained an ally in Russia and was able to supply their army of around 196,000 with modern weapons
- The size of the Ethiopian army was downplayed greatly to deceive Italy
- Full scale war was not considered to break out until 1895
- Ethiopians counterattacked Italy and captured Meqele
- Italy was forced to surrender
Battle of Adwa (March 1, 1896)
- Took place in the mountains of Adwa
- An Italy army of approximately 15,000 faced an Ethiopian army of 100,000 - 120,000
- Italy was defeated brutally and forced to retreat, marking the end of the war
- Up to 70% of the Italian soldiers were either killed or captured
- Pivotal moment for Ethiopia and proved they could withstand being colonized under the rule of Menelik II
Treaty of Addis Ababa
- Signed in October of 1896
- Abrogated the Treatly of Wichale
- Established Ethiopia as an independent nation and the only African territory to resist colonization
- Italy kept Eritrea as a colony, but the boundaries were decreased to about 80,000 square miles