The Battle Of Adwa

In March 1896 a well-disciplined and massive Ethiopian army did the unthinkable-it routed an invading Italian force and brought Italy's war of conquest in Africa to an end. In an age of relentless European expansion, Ethiopia had successfully defended its independence and cast doubt upon an unshakable certainty of the age-that sooner or later all Africans would fall under the rule of Europeans. This event opened a breach that would lead, in the aftermath of world war fifty years later, to the continent's painful struggle for freedom from colonial rule. Raymond Jonas offers the first comprehensive account of this singular episode in modern world history. The narrative is peopled by the ambitious and vain, the creative and the coarse, across Africa, Europe, and the Americas-personalities like Menelik, a biblically inspired provincial monarch who consolidated Ethiopia's throne; Taytu, his quick-witted and aggressive wife; and the Swiss engineer Alfred Ilg, the emperor's close advisor. The Ethiopians' brilliant gamesmanship and savvy public relations campaign helped roll back the Europeanization of Africa. Figures throughout the African diaspora immediately grasped the significance of Adwa, Menelik, and an independent Ethiopia. Writing deftly from a transnational perspective, Jonas puts Adwa in the context of manifest destiny and Jim Crow, signaling a challenge to the very concept of white dominance. By reopening seemingly settled questions of race and empire, the Battle of Adwa was thus a harbinger of the global, unsettled century about to unfold.

In 1896 a massive Ethiopian army routed an invading Italian force and brought Italy s conquest of Africa to an end. In defending its independence, Ethiopia cast doubt on the assumption that all Africans would fall under the rule of Europeans, and opened a breach that would lead to the continent s painful struggle for freedom from colonial rule."

Ethiopia trounced the Italians in 1896 in the greatest African victory over Europe since Hannibal, but failed to prevent the loss of Eritrea. The event was a powerful constitutive force in the rise of modern Africa and pan-Africanism and resounds in the shared memory of Africans and Black Americans even today.

In the late 19th century, the new nation-state of Italy was eager to join her European neighbours in creating an international empire, and her eyes turned toward Africa as a source of potential colonies. Securing a foothold in Eritrea on the Red Sea coast, the Italians quickly became embroiled in a shooting war with the Ethiopians. The war proved a disaster for the Italians, who suffered three major defeats against the forces of Emperor Menelik's army, including a horrendous massacre at Adowa, the largest defeat of a colonial army prior to World War I. This book looks at the campaign with an emphasis on the colourful uniforms worn by both sides.

Ethiopia trounced the Italians in 1896 in the greatest African victory over Europe since Hannibal, but failed to prevent the loss of Eritrea. The event was a powerful constitutive force in the rise of modern Africa and pan-Africanism and resounds in the shared memory of Africans and Black Americans even today.

The author has written a number of books in Amharic. His first novel (አዳባይ Adabay) was published by Kuraz Publishers in 1882. Most of his novels are based on the anti-Fascist patriotic struggle of 1935-1940 and the post Second World War situation in Ethiopia. His first English novel 'Trying Times' was published by Shama Books in 2011.Recently, he wrote two history books in Amharic about the first and second Ethio-Italian wars. This history book, in English, deals with the military and diplomatic battles of Menelik the Second, Emperor of Ethiopia.Two years after crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, Menelik rejected the Berlin and Brussels conferences decisions on the scramble of Africa. In a letter dated April 1891, addressed to European colonial powers he declared that Ethiopia's territory extends to Lake Albert in the south, to Indian Ocean in the east and the White Nile in the west. His opposition was a declaration that there are no territories to scramble other than Menelik's sovereign empire. In his letter, Menelik expressed his firm belief that God has preserved Ethiopian independence and will not allow occupation of his country by foreign powers.In 1895 when Italy tried to annex the Tigray province Menelik defeated it in three months battles. The battle started in Alage with Menelik's General Ras Mekonen led army. The victory at Alage resounded in Europe. The Italian government mobilized 40,000 soldiers and sent them on 11 ships to Eritrea to participate in the coming battles. This was followed by additional mobilization of 6,000 more soldiers and weaponry and was sent by six ships to Massawa. Thus in accordance to Raymond Jonas 46,000 Italian soldiers were added to the Italian force in Eritrea after the Battle of Alage. The mobilization continued for months. The Victory of Alage was followed by other victories in Awsa and Mekelle and culminated in the Victory of the Battle of Adwa.This book, other than the Ethiopian and Italian confrontation, details Ethiopia's expeditions against the Anglo-Egyptians in the Sudan and south to Lake Albert. This expedition led by Ras Mekonen to the White Nile was done in alliance with Khalifa Abdullahi of the Mahdiya State. This could be considered the first pan African military alliance. The expedition reached the White Nile in two directions. Another expedition led by Ras Wolde Giorgis to Lake Albert short landed at Lake Rudolf. The Columbia Courier on March 18, 1904 wrote that Menelik "defeated the cherished "Cape to Cairo" dream of the late Cecil Rhodes. This book elucidates the military and diplomatic history of the battles with the Italians, the expeditions to the White Nile in the Sudan in alliance with the Mahdi Kalifa Abdullahi and the two pronged expeditions to the south to reach Lake Albert. These battles changed the course of history in the 19th century. Menelik was also a great diplomat. He built a lifelong friendship with Europeans and Americans who served him in his diplomatic effort. One of them, Ellis briefed Menelik on political concepts based on the Monroe Doctrine of 'America for Americans' that impressed Menelik very much. With Ellis Menelik forwarded the idea of "Africa for Africans". He even learned how to pronounce these mottos in English. When Menelik was told that Mr. Carnegie, the American industrialist and philanthropist, support to the right of American blacks he sent him a letter thanking him. Mr. Carnegie responded that he "has been deeply moved by receiving a letter written by his Imperial Majesty's own hand and conveying his good wishes. It is a great honor and the letter has been framed. It will be handed down to future generations and testify that in this day there reigned in Abyssinia a great and wise Monarch who knew the world and what was going in countries far from his own and gave to what he saw to good his august approval."

For a long time now it has been common understanding that Africa played only a marginal role in the First World War. Its reduced theatre of operations appeared irrelevant to the strategic balance of the major powers. This volume is a contribution to the growing body of historical literature that explores the global and social history of the First World War. It questions the supposedly marginal role of Africa during the Great War with a special focus on Northeast Africa. In fact, between 1911 and 1924 a series of influential political and social upheavals took place in the vast expanse between Tripoli and Addis Ababa. The First World War was to profoundly change the local balance of power. This volume consists of fifteen chapters divided into three sections. The essays examine the social, political and operational course of the war and assess its consequences in a region straddling Africa and the Middle East. The relationship between local events and global processes is explored, together with the regional protagonists and their agency. Contrary to the myth still prevailing, the First World War did have both immediate and long-term effects on the region. This book highlights some of the significant aspects associated with it.