Lesson 7: Italian Aggression and the Patriotic Resistance

1. Video Lesson

2. Competencies

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

outline the responses of Ethiopia against foreign aggressions;
sketch the map of Ethiopia during Italian Occupation;
develop critical thinking skills in discussing the cause of the battle of Adwa; and
appreciate the sacrifices paid by the Ethiopian people against Fascist Italian aggression.

3. Brainstorming Questions

Discuss the cause of the Battle of Adwa.

4. Key Terminology and Concepts

Conventional warfare
Guerrilla warfare
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Tab 5

Conventional warfare refers to traditional military combat between regular armies using standard weapons and tactics, typically involving organized, large-scale battles and engagements. It contrasts with unconventional warfare, which includes guerrilla tactics, asymmetric combat, and other non-traditional methods. Conventional warfare usually involves clear front lines and well-defined military objectives, and is characterized by direct confrontations between opposing forces using conventional weapons and strategies.

Guerrilla warfare refers to a type of irregular warfare in which small, mobile groups of fighters use unconventional tactics to harass and undermine a larger, more traditional military force. This form of warfare typically involves ambushes, sabotage, raids, and hit-and-run tactics, focusing on evading direct confrontation and leveraging knowledge of the local terrain. Guerrilla warfare often aims to weaken an occupying force, disrupt supply lines, and gain the support of the local population, rather than achieving a decisive, large-scale victory through conventional means.

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5. Lesson Presentation

A. Causes of the war

Seeking revenge for their defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Italy invaded Ethiopia on October 3, 1935, driven by a renewed colonial zeal following Benito Mussolini’s rise to power in 1922. Mussolini and the Fascist Party aimed to restore the glory of the ancient Roman Empire by rectifying this historic humiliation.

B. Courses of the war

On October 3, 1935, Italian troops crossed the Mereb River that separated Ethiopia and the Italian Colony of Eritrea.
On 8 November, the Italians entered Mekelle.
After an initial tactical retreat, the Ethiopian forces tried to check the Italian advance in January 1936.
Ras Kassa Hailu was assigned by Emperor Haile Selassie as the overall commander of the northern front. Ethiopian forces in the north were commanded by Ras Emeru Haile Selassie, (Shire front), Ras Mulugeta Yegezu, (Enderta front), Ras Kassa Hailu and Ras Seyoum Mengesha (Temben front).
The final battle on the northern front was fought at Maychew on 31 March 1936. The Ethiopian forces in this battle were commanded by Emperor Haile Selassie I.

The Ethiopian forces on the southern and southeastern fronts were led by Ras Desta Damtew, Dejach Nesibu Zamanuel and Dejach Mekonnen Endalkachew against Italian forces led by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani.
Afew days after Marshal Badoglio arrived in Addis Ababa, Marshal Rodolfo Graziani arrived in Harar.
The Emperor went to Jeneva and called for the support of the League. But the response was not good for Ethiopia. It imposed sanctions on both the victim Ethiopia and the aggressor, Italy.

Why did the Italians have easy success in 1936 when they so miserably failed in 1896?

The Italians had both complete control of the air & numerical superiority over Ethiopian forces on all fronts.
The Italians fought from well-fortified positions.
Lack of coordination among Ethiopian.

C. The Italian Occupation

Badoglio was assigned as the first Italian viceroy of Ethiopia. But soon, Marshal Badoglio was replaced by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, who served as viceroy until an assassination attempt was made by Moges Asgedom and Abraha Deboch. Then Graziani was replaced by the more liberal minded viceroy, the Duke of Aosta, who remained in that position until the final defeat and expulsion of the Italians in 1941.
The Italian fascist occupation which lasted for five years, was largely confined to the major towns because of the nationwide patriotic resistance. It was only in the towns that the Italians left behind traces of their occupation. These towns include Addis Ababa, Gondar, Dessie, Harar and Jimma. Addis Ababa, which was also the capital of Italian East Africa, got a new urban settlement pattern, electricity, piped water and many factories. The Italian East African was divided into six administrative regions, each with its own capital, listed below.

D. The Patriotic Resistance and the War of Liberation

Here is a table summarizing the phases of Ethiopian resistance against Italian occupation, including key events and highlights:

Phase	Characteristics	Key Events	Highlights
Phase 1	Conventional warfare	Italian occupation of Addis Ababa on May 5, 1936	Resistance by Ras Desta Damtew, Dejach Beyene Merid, and Dejach Gebre Mariam Gari Coordinated assault on Addis Ababa in summer 1936 Execution of Abune Petros and Ras Desta Damtew in February 1937 Surrender and execution of Asfawosen Kassa and Abera Kassa
Phase 2	Guerrilla warfare	Beginning after February 1937 Graziani massacre	Intensified resistance after the Graziani massacre Reign of terror by Fascist Black Shirts targeting educated Ethiopians and Orthodox clergy Execution of monks in Debre Libanos by Fascist forces

Although most of the patriot leaders were men, there were also women who became the rallying point of the resistance movement. In this regard, we can mention female figures: Kebedech Seyoum, and Shewanesh Abrha, LekyeLesh Beyan, and Senedu Gebru, Woyzero Shewareged Gedle and Woyzero Shewanesh Abebe.

History Grade-12: Module-2