Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 - Research Paper Example

Italy's invasion of Ethiopia Introduction The 1935 Italian-Ethiopian conflict had deep repercussions for the international system that had been established after World War I. The League of Nations was unable to stop the military aggression perpetrated by the Italians. The conflict broke out as a result of Italian territorial ambitions in the Horn of Africa. It was also a desire to avenge the defeat of its forces by Ethiopia in the nineteenth century. This paper will seek to analyze and assess the causes of the conflict. It will identify the military tactics used by both sides and comment on the outcome of the conflict. Finally it will analyze the consequences of the military conflict. Causes Italy had been a latecomer in the scramble for colonies as compared with other European powers. During the 1920s, it had signed a friendship treaty with Ethiopia which called for mutual respect and peace across the borders. However, the Mussolini regime sought to consolidate its power in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia was a natural target due to its huge size and resources (Gooch, 45). In addition, the Italians wanted to avenge their humiliating defeat at the Battle of Adowa in 1896 at the hands of the Ethiopian armies. The immediate cause for the conflict was a series of border disputes in Italian Somaliland. Italy had established a military garrison in the Welwel oasis which was considered to be Ethiopian territory. Subsequently in December 1934, a military clash broke out between Ethiopian and Italian forces in the “Wal Wal incident” (Gooch, 45). These border disputes were not handled in an efficient manner by the League of Nations. The UK and France remained passive in the wake of Italian provocations. This emboldened Italy to initiate a war against Ethiopia on October 1935. Military Tactics The Italians enjoyed complete military superiority over the poorly armed Ethiopians. The goal of the Italians was to use overwhelming force through the application of modern weapons like warplanes, artillery, tanks, and missiles. The Italians used combined arms operations that comprised of infantry which was supported by armor and airpower. This shocking power decimated entire Ethiopian armies (Mockler, 93). The Italians also used poison gas as a means of terrorizing and demoralizing the defenders. Civilians were killed and the natural environment was decimated through the use of poison gas. The Italian army was considered to be relatively inexperienced when compared with other Western armies. Its advance into Ethiopia was remarkably slow despite its inherent military superiority. The Ethiopians were able to stall the advance for six months before being overwhelmed by superior technology. Despite their inferior weapons, they were able to utilize the terrain and numerical strength to isolate and destroy Italian columns in several actions. The Ethiopians sought to drag the Italians into a bloody war of attrition. They sought to use guerillas in order to harass Italian military units behind their flanks and supply lines. Haile Selassie sought to use the Imperial Guard, the best trained armies, for driving a wedge between the main Italian armies. It was argued that the Ethiopians would avoid set piece battles and resort to guerilla warfare. Conventional war would be conducted only on favorable terms in order to neutralize the military superiority of Italy (Nicolle, 92). Casualties and Outcome It is estimated that over 10,000 Italians and 275,000 Ethiopians were killed in the conflict. Over 44,000 Italians and 500,000 Ethiopians were wounded in the military conflict (Nicolle, 123). The Italians would win the war by defeating the Ethiopians after six months of battles. The occupation of Ethiopia would last until the liberation of the territory by the Allied forces. Ethiopian guerillas would continue to wage resistance against the occupying forces. Important Battles and Events Emperor Haile Selassie launched the “Christmas Offensive” as a counterattack against the advancing Italian forces. The goal was to divide the Italian armies in the north and invade Eriteria. The Ethiopians used the local terrain to their advantage as they crushed the Italian armies and neutralized their superiority in armor. The offensive was broken only after Italy resorted to the use of poison gas against the Ethiopian armies. Other key battles were fought at Tembian (Shinn & Prouty, 56). The first battle was a stalemate but the second led to the victory of Italian forces. The Battle of Maychew was the final Ethiopian counterattack against the invading armies. Despite valor and determination, Ethiopian forces were decimated by the well entrenched Italian forces. Consequences The conquest of Ethiopia proved to be a short term victory for Fascist Italy. It had avenged the defeat of its forces in the nineteenth century. In addition, it sought to develop the infrastructure of Ethiopia and introduce legal reforms in the country (Shinn & Prouty, 102). The victory for Italy would be short lived as World War II would eventually lead to its defeat in various theatres. Ethiopia continued to preserve its culture and independence despite the brutal military occupation. Its Emperor continued to rally the cause of the country on international forums. The war also led to the weakness of the League of Nations because it had failed to stop Italian aggression. Conclusion The 1935 Italian-Ethiopian conflict broke out due to the territorial ambitions of the former. Ethiopia was one of the few countries that had managed to preserve its independence in the face of Western colonialism. Italy would ultimately win the conflict due to its superior weapons and technology. It utilized combined arms operations as a means of defeating the poorly equipped Ethiopian armies. In addition, poison gas was used to terrorize and demoralize the local population. The Ethiopians sought to avoid set piece battles and fight on favorable terms. Despite heroic and determined resistance, Italy’s modern weapons would triumph against the Ethiopians. The conflict would enable Italy to achieve its imperial objectives in the short term. But World War II would end the dreams of the fascist regime to become a powerful colonial power. Ethiopians would continue their heroic resistance through partisan warfare. Works Cited Gooch, John (2007). Mussolini and His Generals. Cambridge: Cambridge University press Mockler, Anthony (2003). Haile Sellassie's War. New York: Olive Branch Press Nicolle, David (1997). The Italian Invasion of Abyssinia 1935-1936. Westminster, Maryland: Osprey Shinn, David Hamilton, Ofcansky, Thomas P., and Prouty, Chris (2004). Historical dictionary of Ethiopia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press Read More