Ethiopia’s Victory at Adwa

In 1896, an African army crushed a European empire and shocked the entire world.

The battle was Adwa, in northern Ethiopia. The enemy was Italy, a newly unified European power.

Italy wanted to turn Ethiopia into a colony. But Emperor Menelik II refused.

Italy claimed a treaty the Treaty of Wuchale, signed in 1889 gave them control.

Ethiopia rejected Italy’s interpretation. War followed. On March 1, 1896,

near the town of Adwa, the armies met. Italy expected an easy victory.

Instead, Menelik mobilized over 100,000 Ethiopian soldiers. They were armed

with modern rifles, many bought from Europe itself. Italian forces were divided,