Second Italo-Ethiopian War

Second Italo-Ethiopian War was a colonial conflict that began in October 1935 when the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy under Benito Mussolini invaded the Ethiopian Empire. The war, characterized by Italy's extensive use of modern weaponry including mustard gas against a largely ill-equipped Ethiopian army, resulted in the military occupation of Addis Ababa and the proclamation of Italian East Africa. The conflict's aftermath saw a brutal Italian occupation and the exile of Emperor Haile Selassie, while its diplomatic handling fatally undermined the credibility of the League of Nations.

Background and causes

The origins of the conflict are rooted in Italy's desire for colonial expansion and revenge for its humiliating defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. The rise of the National Fascist Party and the ambitions of Benito Mussolini made the conquest of Ethiopia a central goal to bolster national prestige and create a contiguous empire in East Africa. Tensions escalated following the Walwal incident of December 1934, a border clash between Italian Somali troops and Ethiopian forces in the Ogaden region. Subsequent negotiations at the League of Nations failed, as Pietro Badoglio and other Italian military leaders prepared for a full-scale invasion, dismissing Ethiopia's sovereignty.

Italian invasion and Ethiopian resistance

The invasion was launched from Italian Eritrea and Italian Somaliland on 3 October 1935, with Rodolfo Graziani commanding the southern front. Italian forces, employing Regia Aeronautica aircraft, tankettes, and chemical weapons, quickly advanced. Key early battles included the Battle of Amba Aradam and the Battle of Maychew, where Ethiopian commanders like Ras Mulugeta and Ras Imru were defeated. Emperor Haile Selassie personally commanded troops at the decisive Battle of Maychew. Despite fierce resistance, the Italian I Corps under Pietro Badoglio captured Addis Ababa on 5 May 1936, leading to the flight of the imperial government. Guerrilla warfare, however, continued for years in provinces like Gojjam.

International response and sanctions

The League of Nations, led by members like the United Kingdom and France, declared Italy the aggressor and voted to impose economic sanctions under Article 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. However, the sanctions were ineffective as they did not include vital materials like oil and were undermined by non-member states like Nazi Germany and the United States. The Hoare–Laval Pact, a secret proposal to appease Mussolini by ceding large parts of Ethiopia, was leaked and caused public outrage, crippling the League's moral authority. This failure demonstrated the impotence of collective security in the face of fascist aggression.

Conclusion and aftermath

The war concluded with Italy's formal annexation of Ethiopia, proclaimed by Victor Emmanuel III as Emperor, and the creation of Italian East Africa, unifying it with Eritrea and Somalia. Haile Selassie delivered his famous appeal before the League of Nations in Geneva in June 1936. The subsequent Italian occupation, overseen by viceroy Rodolfo Graziani, was marked by severe repression, including the Yekatit 12 massacre in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Arbegnoch guerrillas, supported by the exiled emperor, maintained resistance until the Allied liberation in 1941 during World War II.

Legacy and historical significance

The war is seen as a clear prelude to World War II, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations and encouraging further aggression by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. It solidified the Rome-Berlin Axis and influenced the Spanish Civil War. For Ethiopia, it became a symbol of anti-colonial resistance and national identity, with Haile Selassie emerging as an iconic Pan-African figure. The conflict's brutality, including the widespread use of chemical weapons, set a grim precedent for warfare and remains a significant subject in studies of fascism, colonialism, and international law.

Category:Wars involving Italy Category:Wars involving Ethiopia Category:20th-century conflicts