On 1 March 1896 Ethiopian forces decisively defeated Italian invaders at the battle of Adwa. Italy, which had already colonised neighbouring Eritrea, was attempting to conquer Ethiopia as well, in a military operation which began in 1895. Up to 70% of Italy's invasion force of around 6000 troops were captured or killed. A peace treaty was signed in October in which Italy gave up its territorial claim of Ethiopia, and also surrendered some of its Eritrean colony. It was considered the first major military victory by African troops over European colonisers of the era.
Battle of Adwa - WCH | Stories
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