1.

First Italian Invasion (1895-1896):

Context and Causes:

Italian Colonization Ambitions: Italy, a relatively newly unified nation (unified in 1861), sought to
establish itself as a colonial power in Africa, joining other European powers in the so-called "Scramble for
Africa." Italy had already taken control of parts of East Africa (such as Eritrea and Somalia), but its
aspirations for a larger colonial empire clashed with the independent kingdom of Ethiopia, one of the
few African states that had never been colonized.

Treaty of Wuchale (1889): In 1889, Italy signed a treaty with Ethiopia, known as the Treaty of Wuchale,
which was supposed to establish a protectorate over Ethiopia. However, the treaty's wording was
ambiguous. The Italians interpreted it as granting them the right to control Ethiopia's foreign relations,
while the Ethiopians understood it as a more limited agreement. Tensions over this discrepancy
escalated.

The War:

Italian Invasion (1895): In 1895, Italy launched a full-scale invasion of Ethiopia, hoping to annex the
country and solidify its empire in Africa. The Italian forces, which included troops from Eritrea and Italy
itself, were better equipped with modern weaponry, including artillery and rifles.

Ethiopian Resistance: The Ethiopians, led by Emperor Menelik II, were determined to maintain their
sovereignty. Menelik II was an astute leader who united various Ethiopian factions and managed to
acquire modern weapons through diplomatic relations with European powers, including Russia and
France.

The Battle of Adwa (March 1896): The decisive moment of the war came at the Battle of Adwa, where
the Ethiopian forces decisively defeated the Italian army. It was a stunning victory for Ethiopia, and the
defeat humiliated the Italians. Over 7,000 Italian soldiers were killed, and many others were captured.

Consequences of the First Invasion:

Treaty of Addis Ababa (1896): Following their defeat, Italy was forced to sign the Treaty of Addis Ababa
with Ethiopia, recognizing the country's full sovereignty and independence. This was a major victory for
Ethiopia and a rare case of an African power successfully resisting European colonization.

International Implications: The Ethiopian victory at Adwa became a symbol of resistance against
European imperialism and inspired other African nationalist movements. Italy's failure to conquer
Ethiopia, however, fueled its desire for revenge and led to further plans for an invasion, which would
come decades later.

2. Second Italian Invasion (1935-1936):

Context and Causes:

Fascist Italy: By the 1930s, Italy was under the authoritarian rule of Benito Mussolini and the Fascist
Party. Mussolini aimed to expand Italy's empire and revive the glory of ancient Rome by acquiring
territories in Africa. Ethiopia, which had successfully resisted colonization in the past, was seen as a
symbol of defiance to Italian imperial ambitions.
Economic and Military Pressure: Mussolini believed that conquering Ethiopia would bolster Italy’s
prestige, provide access to valuable resources, and demonstrate the strength of the Fascist regime. Italy
also wanted to avenge its defeat in 1896.

Border Disputes: There were also border disputes between Italian-controlled Eritrea and Ethiopia, which
gave Italy a pretext for military action.

The War:

Invasion (October 1935): On October 3, 1935, Mussolini launched an invasion of Ethiopia. This time, Italy
had a much stronger military, including modern tanks, aircraft, and chemical weapons (notably mustard
gas). The Ethiopian military was less equipped, relying mainly on traditional weapons, although they put
up fierce resistance.

International Reaction: The invasion was widely condemned by the international community, particularly
by the League of Nations. However, despite some sanctions, major powers like Britain and France were
reluctant to take strong action against Italy, as they were more concerned with preventing Mussolini
from aligning with Nazi Germany.

Fall of Addis Ababa (May 1936): After months of fighting and brutal tactics (including the use of poison
gas against civilians), Italy captured Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on May 5, 1936. The last
Ethiopian resistance collapsed, and Italy declared Ethiopia part of its new colony, the Italian East Africa
(which also included Eritrea and Somalia).

Consequences of the Second Invasion:

Annexation of Ethiopia: Ethiopia was officially annexed into the Italian Empire, and Emperor Haile
Selassie, who had fled into exile, became a symbol of resistance. Mussolini's victory was short-lived, as
Ethiopia remained a point of resistance against colonial rule.

International Consequences: The invasion exposed the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations and
highlighted the weaknesses of international diplomacy in preventing fascist aggression. Haile Selassie’s
impassioned speech to the League of Nations, in which he appealed for help, became an iconic moment
in the fight against fascism and imperialism.

World War II: The occupation of Ethiopia remained a contentious issue and was one of the factors that
contributed to Italy's eventual involvement in World War II on the side of the Axis powers. In 1941,
during the war, British forces and Ethiopian resistance fighters liberated Ethiopia from Italian occupation,
and Haile Selassie was restored to the throne.

Legacy and Impact:

Ethiopian Resistance: Ethiopia's resistance against Italian rule, particularly the 1896 victory at Adwa and
the 1935-1941 liberation struggle, became a powerful symbol of African resistance against European
imperialism.

Italian Fascism: The invasion of Ethiopia under Mussolini was part of Italy’s imperialistic and expansionist
ambitions, which were driven by fascist ideology. However, it led to international isolation for Italy, and
the colonial occupation was marked by extreme violence, including mass executions, forced labor, and
the use of chemical weapons.
Ethiopia's Role in African Liberation: Ethiopia’s defiance in the face of colonization had a lasting impact
on pan-Africanism and African liberation movements. Ethiopia became a beacon of hope for many
African nations in their struggles for independence during the 20th century.

In summary, the Italian invasions of Ethiopia were major events in African history, reflecting both the
resilience of Ethiopia in the face of colonial aggression and the brutal reality of European imperialism in
Africa. The consequences of the invasions continued to shape Ethiopia’s national identity and its role in
the larger global struggle against colonialism.