Thread by @MemnonX

In the second half of the 19th century, England, France and Italy were more of a threat to Ethiopia than were Egypt and Ottomans. This was because an Italian company had bought part of Asseb and France was intent on connecting Fashoda in Khartoum to Djibouti.

During this time, England, France and Italy began to use the term '#Abyssinia' as a means to divide northern Ethiopia from the rest of the country. This name was never used by the people or rulers of Ethiopia, even if they were ever mistakenly referred to as such.

Emperor #Yohannes' conquest of Dogali, with Alula, first drove away the Italians, however he soon passed away in Metema. Succeeding him was #Menelik and this European intervention aggravated domestic issues.

The nation was plagued by famine due to the combination of the drought and pestilence, the cholera & locusts additionally inflicted much damage to Tigray. Unfavourable weather, aggravated by a measles outbreak, affected Harar & Shewa, & food scarcity impacted Begemdir & Hamasen.

An array of people migrated to Massawa and others chose instead to journey south to Jimma. Consequently, bringing about grain shortages, civilian casualties & animal deaths, these problems also plagued the country.

At the time, Italy attempted to persuade Ras Mengesha to betray the Emperor in favor of them, while the mountainous region of Hamasein which Ras Alula had safeguarded, was then cut off by the Italians & annexed as Eritrea.

They claimed that Menelik had no support in Tigray and that they would start a rebellion in Gojjam. During the meeting in Addis Ababa in May 1893, Menelik called on a number of his military officers and local rulers to come together to strategize for upcoming battle with Italy.

The meeting gave an opportunity to share ideas concerning the battle, as well as a platform for soldiers to voice out their reactions. It was a significant occasion as some who had previously rebelled against Menelik were now joined to strategize the imminent incursion by Italy.

As the Adwa battle approached, the army led by Menelik had limited access to military supplies stored in Were Ilu, so he sought out assistance from Europe to get the needed equipment, with the British refusing to sell weapons, France withholding equipment Ethiopia had paid for

Germany and Austria blocked the shipment of arms to Menelik, while Russia declined to give any aid or support, forcing Menelik to forgo a full-scale war against Italy. Nevertheless, Menelik refused to abandon his plans to fight the enemy.

In September 1895, Menelik II issued a call for all Ethiopians, including bandits, priests, Muslim leaders to rally and amass their cattle in an effort to march towards Addis Ababa in preparation for a war against Italy and the plan was to assemble in Were illu by mid-October.

The war effort was hindered from the start, however, as Ras Michael's horses and mules were infected with rinderpest. Ras Alula, Dejazmach Haile Mariam, Dejazmatch Bahta and Ras Sibhat from north; as well as Ras Gugsa Welle from Yejju, Negus Tekle-Haymanot from Gojjam and Dembia

Ras Gobena and Dejazmach Balcha of the Mecha Oromo, Fitawrari Tekle from Wollega, Dejazmach Besha Aboye from Sidamo, Dejazmach Tessema from Ilubabur, Ras Wolde Giorgis from (Konta) Limu and Kefa, and Wohni Azazsh Wolde Tsadik from Addis Alem, Ras Mekonnen of Harar,

Dejazmach Gwangul (formerly been a bandit) marched with Ras Mengesha of Tigray after both being forgiven their past misdeeds.

All rulers gathered to fight in the war but due to the lack of weapons Menelik sent back Kao Tona of Welayita, Sultan Aba Jifar of Jimma, Dejazmach Kumsa Moroda of Laka Nekmet & Dejazmach Jote to protect other parts of Ethiopia.

Italy was unaware that Ethiopia had attained a unified & emblematic nationhood under Emperor Menelik for the first time since the 16th c. & the battle cemented Ethiopia as a proud & independent country.
The win at #Adwa has now become a symbol of resistance & success of #Africa.

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