Italian invasion of Ethiopia

Italy invaded Ethiopia in October 1935 and occupied the country until British-led forces and Ethiopian resistance restored its independence in 1941.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War: The 1935–1937 conflict between Italy and Ethiopia, including the invasion and early resistance. This war names the invasion’s main military phase and its immediate aftermath.
Benito Mussolini: Italy’s Fascist dictator from 1922 to 1943, who ordered the invasion of Ethiopia. Mussolini sought conquest to expand Italy’s empire and strengthen his regime.
Haile Selassie: Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, except during the Italian occupation. He led Ethiopia’s government, appealed internationally, and returned with the forces that ended the occupation.
League of Nations sanctions against Italy: Economic sanctions imposed by the League of Nations on Italy after its attack on Ethiopia. Their limited reach exposed how little the League could do to stop the invasion.
Battle of Adwa: Ethiopia’s 1896 victory over Italy, which preserved its independence for decades. The earlier defeat shaped Italian plans for revenge and Ethiopia’s defenses.
Walwal incident: A December 1934 armed clash between Italian and Ethiopian forces at the disputed Walwal oasis. Italy used the border incident as a pretext for escalation.
Emilio De Bono: Italian general and Fascist official who commanded the initial invasion of Ethiopia. His slow advance led Mussolini to replace him during the campaign.
Italian war crimes in Ethiopia: Violations of the laws of war by Italian forces, including chemical attacks and reprisals against civilians. These crimes marked the occupation and later shaped debates over accountability.
Battle of Maychew: A 1936 battle in which Italian forces defeated Emperor Haile Selassie’s army in northern Ethiopia. Its outcome opened the route toward the Ethiopian capital.
Italian colonial empire: Italy’s overseas territories and claims, built through colonization from the late nineteenth century onward. The invasion aimed to enlarge this empire in Africa.

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