Ethiopia

The war in Ethiopia began when Italy invaded in 1935, and resulted in an Ethiopian-British alliance, causing Italy to surrender to the Allied power.

Ethiopia's capital is Addis Abada, and it is bordered by Eritea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti

Timeline of Events

December 1934: Italians visit Welwel, wells used by Somali nomads, to claim land, but are challenged by Anglo-Ethiopian boundary commission
September 1935: League of Nations exonerates both parties
October 3, 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia
May 9, 1936: Ethiopia is annexed by Italy
September 1, 1939: World War II begins
June 10, 1940: Italy enters World War II
1940-1941: British and Ethiopian forces isolate Italian forces in the highlands and prevent attack
1941: Ethiopian emperor arrives and tries to control local resistance groups
January 1942: Italians surrender to British and Ethiopians
January 1942: New military convention for British assistance in Ethiopia is formed

Motives for Invasion

In 1935, Mussolini ruled Italy, a country that wanted to compensate for the losses suffered during the Great Depression. On October 3, 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia as part of its effort to create an Italian empire in Africa, centered in Ethiopia. This was a part of the efforts to minimize the effects of the Great Depression and improve the economy by gaining land for the unemployed and increasing mineral resources. In addition to this, the invasion was an attempt to boost Italian prestige and make up for the defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, which secured Ethiopian sovereignty. Despite these motives, it seemed to soldiers that "for no reason or any crime, the Italian army massacred anyone at home". (Major Deshene Meshesha, "Ethiopian Veteran Recounts Fighting the World War 2") Ethiopians fought to prevent slavery and retain their identity. Eventually, the superior weaponry of the Italians caused Ethiopia to be exiled in 1936.

Invasion of Ethiopia

A​lthough World War II started in 1939, the war began in 1935 for Ethiopia, when it was invaded by Italy. Ethiopia had terrible odds and there was a significant gap in their weaponry: Italians were equipped with modern equipment such as chemical weapons and air power while Ethiopians had traditional weapons. On May 9, 1936, Ethiopia was defeated and was annexed  by Italy. Ethiopia attempted to get help from Western democracies, with little success until Italy entered World War II. With help from the British, indigenous forces were supported by European guerrillas and were able to dislodge the Italians from Ethiopia, as well as Somaliland, and prevent an invasion of Sudan. The Ethiopian emperor was responsible for internal affairs, but all war effort needed British approval. In January of 1942, the Italians surrendered, and Britain established a military convention to assist the army and strengthen the emperor's control. This states that "The Ethiopia Order in Council, 1934, and all Rules and Regulations made thereunder, the Eastern African Court of Appeal (Amendment) Order in Council, 1934, and the application to Ethiopia of the Foreign Jurisdiction (Military Forces) Order in Council, 1927, and of the Foreign Jurisdiction (Probates) Order in Council, 1935, are hereby abrogated". (The London Gazette, by Rupert B. Howorth, page 2073, issue 35557) This order confirmed Ethiopian sovereignty and replaced previously existing orders with a new one. British police replaced provincial governors, helped restore the bureaucracy, and gained control over currency, foreign exchange, and imports and exports. These changes were met with little resistance, as the changes confirmed Ethiopian sovereignty and the disparities in the war against Italy illustrated the need to modernize.

Significance

Although neither Britain nor France responded to the invasion, they recognized the control and saw the growth of Italian imperialism. This heightened tensions between the Allied and Axis powers, and caused Britain to ally with Ethiopia when Italy entered the war. Even though it took five years to defeat the Italians, this was "the first black victory against a wide supremacy" as well as a victory against a foreign nation. Following World War II, this victory helped develop African nationalist movements and illustrated that African nations were capable of defeating major European powers.

Ethiopian Veteran Recounts Fighting

Footage of the War

Italian troops during a battle

Aerial attack on Northern Ethiopian front

Photos

Primary Source:
An article in the London Gazette from May 12, 1942 describing the new Ethiopian-British agreement
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35557/page/2073