Politics and Society
Ethiopia celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of Adwa
On the 1st of March 1896 Ethiopia secured its sovereignty and made history by defeating Italy, which sought to conquer and colonise the east African Empire.
Towards the turn of the 20th century, most of Africa had already been swallowed up and distributed among European powers in the Scramble for Africa. The two exceptions were Liberia and Ethiopia.
Emperor Menelik II. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
After having signed the Treaty of Wuchale in 1889 with then Negus Menelik of Shewa, the Italians were engaged in a disagreement with the Kingdom of Ethiopia over the interpretation and implication of the treaty. They decided to launch a military offensive against the kingdom.
The subsequent interactions on the battlefield between the two nations lasted some six years before culminating in the Battle of Adwa. The battle lasted for two days and saw Negus Menelik’s warriors forcing the desperate Italian army to retreating towards nearby Eritrea.
This victory unified Ethiopia and justified Menelik’s claim to the title of Emperor. It also established Ethiopia as a symbol, being the only African nation to have successfully fought off colonisation.
Read more about this great battle at BlackPast.org.
