"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
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 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
1. Menelik II was born on Aug 17, 1844, in Ankober, Shewa, Ethiopia. His father was Prince Haile-Melekot, Son of King Sahle Sillasse, & His mother, Woizero Ejigayehu Lemma Adyamo, was a palace servant. He was baptized as Sahle Mariam.
2. Menelik (ምኒሊክ) took his name from Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and Makeda, Queen of Sheba. Menelik I was a king in 10th century BC. Through his father, Menelik II claimed descent from this Solomonic line.
3. King of Shewa!
Melenik's father died in 1855, & Menelik was taken prisoner by Tewodros II. While with Tewodros, he received an education & married the emperor's daughter. Menelik escaped Tewodros's custody in 1865 & He returned to shewa & claimed its throne. As king of Shewa.
1/5 On the 1st of March 126 years ago, traditional warriors & farmers as well as women defeated a well-armed Italian army in the town of Adwa, Ethiopia. The outcome of this battle ensured Ethiopia’s independence, making it the only African country never to be colonised. #Adwa 🇪🇹
2/5 The triumph of 🇪🇹|ns at Adwa heralded hope of freedom for the Africans in Africa & beyond. It inspired Africans to embark on liberation struggles from forces of colonialism. That is why forces of resistance in the 20 century used Ethiopia as a representation of freedom. #Adwa
3/5 There were religious movements in Africa known as Ethiopianism. Also the well-known Rastafarian movement draws its inspiration from Ethiopia. Pan-Africanists such as Marcus Garvey & Bob Marley got their inspiration from association with Ethiopia because of this event at Adwa.