Ethiopia: Foreign Aggression and Patriotism (1800-1941)

Foreign Relations and Battles (1800-1941)

• Emperor Yohannes IV:
  • Fought against Egypt and Mahdist Sudan.
  • Died at the Battle of Metemma in 1889.
• Emperor Menilek II:
  • Rejected Italy's protectorate claim after the Wuchale Treaty of 1889.
  • Led Ethiopia to victory at Adwa in 1896.
  • Established modern Ethiopia's borders through boundary treaties.
• Lij Iyasu:
  • Attempted to align with the Central Powers during World War I.
  • Ethiopia joined the League of Nations in 1923.
• Key Battles:
  • Battle of Dabarki (1848): Kasa Hailu (Tewodros II) defeated by Egyptians.
  • Maqdela (1868): British forces defeated Tewodros II.
  • Gundet & Gura: Ethiopian victories against Egyptians under Yohannes IV and Ras Alula.
  • Dogali (1887): Ras Alula defeated Italian forces.
  • Adwa (1896): Menilek II and Empress Taytu led Ethiopia to victory against Italy.
• Italian Occupation (1936-1941):
  • Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 under Mussolini.
  • Used the Walwal Incident as a pretext for attack.
  • Addis Ababa fell in 1936.
• Ethiopian Patriotic Resistance (1936-1941):
  • Ethiopians resisted fiercely, especially in rural areas.
  • Early leaders: Ras Desta Damtew, Dejjach Beyene Merid, and Dejjach Gebre Maryam Gari.
  • Failed attempt to retake Addis Ababa in 1936 due to poor resources.
  • Execution of Abune Petros fueled resistance.
  • Resistance shifted to guerrilla tactics.
  • Massacre of 30,000 Ethiopians in Addis Ababa and monks at Debre Libanos after assassination attempt on Graziani.
  • Woizero Lekyelesh Beyan and Woizero Kebedech Seyoum played crucial roles.
  • With British support, Ethiopian resistance defeated Italians in 1941, reclaiming independence.