Bloodshed in Adwa
Battle of Adwa, Adwa also spelled Adowa or Italian Adua, military clash at Adwa, in north-central Ethiopia, between the Ethiopian army of Emperor Menilek II and Italian forces. The Ethiopian army’s victory checked Italy’s attempt to build an empire in Africa. The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat of a European power by African forces during the colonial era.
From the mid century, Ethiopia was an aggregate of semi-independent kingdoms, which were presided over by the Ethiopian emperor. The death of Emperor Yohannes IV was followed by great disorder as his potential successors fought for ascendancy. The Italians had supported Sahle Miriam of Shewa (Shoa) in the years prior to this, supplying him with modern weaponry, ammunition, and funds that helped him acquire military strength. He used that strength to incorporate smaller Ethiopian kingdoms under his rule and, after Yohannes IV’s death, to secure his claim to the title of emperor, taking the name Menilek II.
Additional ties of cooperation between Italy and Menilek were evident in the Treaty of Wichale (Ucciali), which included Italy’s promise to provide a much-needed loan to Ethiopia. The treaty also included Ethiopia’s recognition of Italy’s claim over the neighbouring coastal colony of Eritrea. One aspect of the treaty that would later lead to conflict was Article XVII, reportedly interpreted by Menilek as meaning that Ethiopia could choose to utilize the Italian government in dealing with other foreign powers. Italian premier Francesco Crispi interpreted it as meaning that Ethiopia must utilize the Italian government, thereby implying the declaration of an Italian protectorate over Ethiopia.
From the mid century, Ethiopia was an aggregate of semi-independent kingdoms, which were presided over by the Ethiopian emperor. The death of Emperor Yohannes IV was followed by great disorder as his potential successors fought for ascendancy. The Italians had supported Sahle Miriam of Shewa (Shoa) in the years prior to this, supplying him with modern weaponry, ammunition, and funds that helped him acquire military strength. He used that strength to incorporate smaller Ethiopian kingdoms under his rule and, after Yohannes IV’s death, to secure his claim to the title of emperor, taking the name Menilek II.
Additional ties of cooperation between Italy and Menilek were evident in the Treaty of Wichale (Ucciali), which included Italy’s promise to provide a much-needed loan to Ethiopia. The treaty also included Ethiopia’s recognition of Italy’s claim over the neighbouring coastal colony of Eritrea. One aspect of the treaty that would later lead to conflict was Article XVII, reportedly interpreted by Menilek as meaning that Ethiopia could choose to utilize the Italian government in dealing with other foreign powers. Italian premier Francesco Crispi interpreted it as meaning that Ethiopia must utilize the Italian government, thereby implying the declaration of an Italian protectorate over Ethiopia.
Comments
Post a Comment