Italo-Ethiopian War

The Italo-Ethiopian War was an 1887–1889 conflict between the Ethiopian Empire and Italy, fought during Italy’s expansion in the Horn of Africa and marked by Ethiopia’s victory at Dogali.

Battle of Dogali: An 1887 battle in which Ethiopian forces defeated an Italian column near Dogali, Eritrea. The war’s defining Ethiopian victory halted an Italian force moving toward Saati.
Eritrea: A country on the Red Sea whose territory Italy began acquiring in the late nineteenth century. Italian expansion there brought its forces into direct contact with Ethiopia.
Treaty of Hewett: A 1884 agreement among Britain, Egypt, and Ethiopia concerning trade and the evacuation of Egyptian-held territories. Its provisions shaped the Red Sea frontier and helped set conditions for Italian expansion.
Ethiopian sovereignty: The authority of Ethiopian states to govern their territory independently of foreign rule. Resistance during the war helped preserve Ethiopia’s independence from Italian control.
Battle of Saati: An 1888 engagement in which Italian forces defended their position at Saati against Ethiopian troops. It followed Dogali as Ethiopia tried to dislodge Italian positions in the region.
Ethiopian Empire: A sovereign African empire centered in the Ethiopian highlands and ruled by successive dynasties. Its rulers organized resistance to Italian encroachment and defended Ethiopian sovereignty.
Italian colonial empire: The overseas territories controlled by Italy from the late nineteenth century through the twentieth century. The campaign against Ethiopia formed part of Italy’s effort to acquire colonial territory.
Italian Eritrea: An Italian colony established in the territory of present-day Eritrea in 1890. The conflict’s frontier contest contributed to Italy’s consolidation of this colony.
Italian occupation of Massawa: Italy’s seizure and occupation of the Red Sea port of Massawa, beginning in 1885. Control of Massawa gave Italy a base for its military advance into Ethiopian territory.
Massawa: A Red Sea port in present-day Eritrea that became an Italian military and colonial base. Its harbor enabled Italian supply and troop movements during the war.

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Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936Related: The invasion heightened British concern about the Suez route and accelerated negotiations with Egypt.