Ethiopia,
originally called Abyssinia, is a country in north-eastern Africa.
By the 2nd century the country had a good trade with Egypt,
Syria and India
in gold, ivory and incense.
The rulers
were converted to Christianity in the 4th century. The country was
attacked by the Muslims in the 16th century but maintained its independence
despite incursions from Portugal (1528-1633).
Jesuit
missionaries converted Emperor Susenyos to Roman Catholicism in 1626.
This resulted in the empire breaking up between warring factions.
It was not until 1855 that Emperor Tewodros II reunited the country.
Italy controlled
Eritrea and Somalia
in Africa but had failed several times to colonize neighbouring Ethiopia.
When Benito
Mussolini
came to
power he was determined to show the strength of his regime by occupying
the country. In October 1935 Mussolini sent in General Pietro
Badoglio
and the Italian Army
into Ethiopia.
The League
of Nations condemned Italy's aggression and in November imposed
sanctions. This included an attempt to ban countries from selling
arms, rubber and some metals to Italy. Some political leaders in France
and Britain opposed sanctions arguing that
it might persuade Mussolini to form an alliance with Adolf
Hitler and Nazi Germany.
Over 400,000
Italian troops fought in Ethiopia. The poorly armed Ethiopians were
no match for Italy's modern tanks and aeroplanes. The Italians even
used mustard
gas on
the home forces and were able to capture Addis Ababa, the capital
of the country, in May 1936, forcing Emperor Haile Selassie to flee
to England.
Adolf
Hitler had been inspired by Mussolini's achievements and once
he gained power in Germany he sought a close
relationship with Italy. In October 1936 the two men signed a non-military
alliance.
In February
1941, General Andrew
Cunningham,
commander of allied forces in East Africa, led an attack on Italian
forces in Ethiopia. He entered Addis Ababa on 6th April and the Italians
surrendered on 17th May. Soon afterwards Emperor Haile Selassie returned
to rule his country.
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