Italy's attempt to establish a protectorate in Ethiopia

Italian Colonialism in Ethiopia: 1870-1914

Early Italian Presence and Ambitions

• Italy, a newly unified country by 1870, began its colonial endeavors in the Horn of Africa as early as 1869 with the establishment of a colony at the port of Asmara (present-day Eritrea) by missionary Giuseppe Zapedo.

• The regional ruler of Ethiopia, Johannes IV (known as "King of Kings"), faced opposition from various local leaders, including Ras Alula Engida. The Italians aimed to expand their Eritrean colony by invading Ethiopian territories.

Alliances and Treaties

• Menelik II allied with the Italians against Johannes IV, receiving firearms to strengthen his position. This alliance was formalized through the Treaty of Uccialli on May 2, 1889.

• After Johannes IV's death following a battle against Sudanese forces, Menelik II proclaimed himself Emperor and ruled from 1889 to 1909. He discovered discrepancies between the Amharic and Italian versions of Article 17 in the treaty.

Discrepancies in Treaty Interpretation

• The Italian version claimed an Italian protectorate over Menelik's empire, which contradicted the original Amharic text. This led to tensions regarding sovereignty and international relations.

• Article 34 from the Berlin Conference established that any European power could claim land without prior possessions if they notified other signatories. This principle complicated Ethiopia's diplomatic standing.

Conflict Over Sovereignty

• Menelik II sought to abolish the Treaty of Uccialli through diplomacy but resorted to war when negotiations failed. The Italians insisted on maintaining Article 17 for reasons of national honor.

Battle Outcomes and Consequences

• On March 1, 1896, during an attack on Ethiopian territory, Italian forces were ambushed by Ethiopian troops who had been prepared for battle despite initial expectations for surprise.

• The Ethiopians outnumbered Italians significantly (approximately 100,000 Ethiopians vs. around 14,500 Italians), leading to heavy casualties for Italy—about 70% loss in their army.

Aftermath and Recognition of Independence

• Following their defeat at Adwa, Italy signed the Treaty of Addis Ababa in October 1896 recognizing Ethiopian independence while establishing permanent control over Eritrea and parts of Somalia.

• Notably, Liberia remained one of only two African nations not subjected to colonial rule during this period alongside Ethiopia after its victory against Italy.