Thread by @zutopist

#Ethiopia #Adwa 💚💛❤ ✌️

"Most nations have independence day. Ethiopians have victory day and It is... Adwa"

[THREAD🧵] attributed to Adwa.

The african victory in the age of empire. One of the proudest moments in african history & an ever-smarting wound of imperialists. 1/14

1. Cause of The Battle of Adwa

It was the result of Italian encroachments south of their colony of Eritrea on the Red Sea. Though bound by the Treaty of Wichale (1889) to friendship, the Italians and Ethiopians had different opinions about the nature of that friendship. 2/14

2. Treaty of Wichale

There was a mistranslation on Article 17 of z treaty, where z Italian version stated that Ethiopia as a protectorate of Italy, while in Amharic it stated Ethiopia's independence. Italy tried to get menelik to accept their interpretation but he refused. 3/14

3. Proclamation of adwa

On 17 Sep 1895, Menelik declared a total mobilisation of war against Italy. He called on all Ethiopians to defend their country.

🇪🇹ns from every tribe & culture answered his call & Regional leaders responded unanimously creating an army of 100,000. 4/14

4. Proclamation of Adwa

"Our enemies have begun the affair by advancing & digging into the country like moles. With the help of God I will not deliver up my country to them. .Today, you who are strong, give me your strength, & you who are weak, help me with your prayer." 5/14

5. The battle

The 1st showdown was at Amba Alagi on 7 Dec 1895, where relatively smaller Italian army was wiped out. The 2nd was at Mekelle, where z Italians were stationed behind a strong fort. Ethiopians surrounded the Italians for 2 weeks & cut off z fort's water supply. 6/14

The Italian commander agreed to surrender if they allowed to leave with their firearms. Menelik agreed to leave z garrison unharmed.

But z Italians remained in their strongholds, fortifying their position at Adigrat & Sauria. Menelik wasn't in a hurry to attack these forts. 7/12

6. Battle of #Adwa

After two weeks of inactivity, on 1 March 1896 General Baratieri decided to advance for a surprise attack. But, the 20,000 Italian & Italian- trained native troops who advanced & fought in three columns faces a decisive defeat by the hands of Ethiopians. 8/14

7. casualties

Aside from numerous casualties, one mission reported roughly 3,600 dead though the exact number remains unknown, the Ethiopians also captured 1,900 Italians and 1,500 Askari (African soldiers serving in the Italian armed forces). 9/14

8. Impact of Adwa

The Adwa victory led to a change of govt in Italy. Due to public protest & failure of his colonial policy, Francesco Crispi resigned.

Addis Ababa Treaty was signed b/n the two countries. Italy unconditionally accepts Ethiopian independence & sovereignty. 10/14

News of an African victory spread throughout the world.

Adwa turned Ethiopia into the symbol of redemption and freedom for black people. Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Du Bois, Bob Marley, George Padmore & others drew inspiration from the African victory. 11/14

Adwa connected black people with Africa's ancient glory & future hope, as M. Garvey wrote:

Look to Africa for the crowing of a black king. He shall be the redeemer.

The green, yellow & red Ethiopian flag was adopted by several African countries after colonial liberation. 12/14

At the time of forming OAU the choice of where to site the secretariat of the continental body did not preoccupy the founding fathers. Ethiopia was arrived at unanimously because of the significance of the battle of Adwa. 13/14

#Adwa #Ethiopia #Africa

Adwa was a tool of Pan-Africanism movement for bringing all African together in the continent & in diaspora. The dramatic event of Adwa is one of the building blocks for African unity. It was & would be the pride of Africa forever

@NeaminZeleke @EA_DevCouncil @HermelaTV @iyoba4u