Ethiopia is an African nation that stood out in history for its unique experiences in avoiding European colonization during the period of the “Scramble for Africa”. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a significant era unfolded when Western European powers embarked on a mission to colonize and exert control over numerous African nations.
Amidst this wave of colonization, Ethiopia stood as a remarkable exception, defying the tide of foreign domination. Ethiopia’s steadfast resistance against colonization was not solely attributed to one factor; rather, it was the result of a unique blend of geographical advantages, the unification of its diverse regions, and the presence of visionary leadership.
- Geographical Factor: Ethiopia’s formidable resistance to European colonization owed much to its rugged and mountainous landscape. The Ethiopian Highlands, characterized by their steep cliffs and challenging terrain, acted as a formidable natural obstacle that thwarted European attempts to gain a significant foothold within the nation.
Ethiopia boasts an extensive central plateau known as the Abyssinian Highlands, alternatively referred to as the Ethiopian Highlands, which spans an elevation range of 1,290 to 3,000 meters (4,232 to 9,843 feet) above sea level.
This remarkable terrain encompasses approximately 25 mountains, with their summits soaring beyond 4,000 meters (13,200 feet). The loftiest among them is Ras Dashen, reaching an impressive altitude of 4,543 meters (14,538 feet).
The formidable terrain made it difficult for foreign armies to penetrate deep into Ethiopian territory. For instance, Matteo Albertone mistook a mountain for Kidane Meret mountain and found his troupe in the midst of Ethiopian soldiers during the Adwan Battle.
Ethiopia geography
- Unification of Ethiopia: Melenik II started the journey of unification of South, East, and West into an empire in the 1870’s. This is majorly referred to as ‘Agar Maqnat’ which means cultivation of land.
He achieved unification with conquest and peaceful negotiation among the neighboring communities and was crowned the emperor of Ethiopia on the 3rd of November 1889. This unification made it easy to gather a massive force during the First Italo-Ethiopian War between 1895 to 1896 which was the first Ethiopia victory against Italy.
Emperor Menelik II
- Strong Forces: In 1896, Menelik II’s forces achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Adwa against Italy, a major European colonial power. The battle that happened one hundred and twenty seven years ago lasted for two days between 1st and 2nd March 1896.
The estimated army of Ethiopia was between 73,000 to 100,000 divided among six leaders which are
- Menelik II (Emperor of Ethiopia between 1889 – 1913).
- Taytu Betul (Empress of Ethiopia from 1889 to 1913)
- Ras Makonnen (The governor of Harar)
- Tekle Haymanot (King of Gojjam from 1881- 1901 )
- Mikael of Wollo ( 1887–1906) and
- Mengesha Yohannes (Governor of Tigray
The estimated army of Italy was between 14,519 to 17,770 divided among four leaders which are;
- Oreste Baratieri (Italian general and Governor of Italian Eritrea)
- Vittorio Dabormida (Italian General, died in the battle Adwa)
- Giuseppe Arimondi (Italian General, died in the battle Adwa)
- Matteo Albertone (Italian general, taken as slave in the battle Adwa)
The battle of Adwa
In conclusion, Ethiopia’s ability to avoid European colonization can be attributed to a combination of geographical, political, and cultural factors. Ethiopia’s rugged terrain, unification and military prowess played pivotal roles in resisting European encroachment.
