Adwa Victory Day – March 2, 2025

History of Adwa Victory Day

Adwa Victory Day is a symbol of African resistance against colonial powers. It all started when Ethiopia, a country made up of semi-independent kingdoms, was under the rule of the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II in the 19th century. Although most of Africa had already been placed under colonial rule, Ethiopia was able to remain a sovereign nation with a strong monarch and a competent army.

In 1889, the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy for additional financial and military support. However, plans changed when it was discovered that there were significant differences between the Italian version of the treaty and the Ethiopian one. The Italians had understood that the treaty would mean Ethiopia coming under the control of Italy.

This misinterpretation led to the First Italo-Ethiopian War in the year 1895. The Italians had some initial success in the war but in the Battle of Adwa, the Ethiopian troops were able to completely defeat their opponents. The Battle proved to be a decisive defeat for the Italians and forced them to retreat to their native lands. The battle of Adwa was especially significant because it was the first victory of an African country over a European colonial power. This resistance was seen as the inspiration for the Pan-African Movement that would henceforth spread through the entire African continent in the 20th century and rid the continent of its colonial oppressors.

Another treaty was then signed in October 1896, in which Italy recognized Ethiopia as an independent state. This was the Treaty of Addis Ababa.