Scramble for Africa: Ethiopia

[Red Menace]

Italy made very clear its intentions in Africa and spent many a year gaining the blessing of the European powers in Africa. Plus, Britain really didn't want an African empire beyond preventing the French from having one and keeping the overland and sea routes to India red on the map.

Also, Ethiopia realized the need to modernize and "Westernize" to an extent to remain independent. So as opposed to 139 British soldiers with breach-loading rifles beating 4,000-5,000 Zulu with spears and a few muskets at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, they were facing 100,000 Ethiopians in their own backyard with firearms (even if they were antiquated, still better than spears), artillery and some idea of Western tactics against 17,700 Italian soldiers and 56 artillery pieces at the Battle of Adwa. They had no chance and really it wasn't worth it beyond prestige.

[Anlushac11]

IIRC Britain didnt want to expand more into Africa since it had South Africa, Egypt, Sudan , and I think Kenya.

[Destroyer25]

Originally Posted by Anlushac11

IIRC Britain didnt want to expand more into Africa since it had South Africa, Egypt, Sudan , and I think Kenya.

Correct.

[Warforger]

Originally Posted by Destroyer25

Of course Italy annexed Ethiopia in the 30s but then they had tanks and chemical weapons, ofc Italy was always the weakest country in Europe and that's why they didn't just walk in. If i recall there was some stubborn resistance.

Hell.No.

Your not only forgetting the Roman Empire, but also the Balkan States, Ottoman Empire (well during this time Istanbul was the capital and modern day Turkey is considered part of Europe, even though its capital is in the center of Anatolia) along with the tiny countries, Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein. I'd debate Austria-Hungary was weaker then Italy even.

Although exactly what stopped Ethopia's advancement? It was doing well for a while, then the 20th Century hit and now its one of the poorest countries on the planet.

[Destroyer25]

Originally Posted by Warforger

Hell.No.

Your not only forgetting the Roman Empire, but also the Balkan States, Ottoman Empire (well during this time Istanbul was the capital and modern day Turkey is considered part of Europe, even though its capital is in the center of Anatolia) along with the tiny countries, Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein. I'd debate Austria-Hungary was weaker then Italy even.

Although exactly what stopped Ethopia's advancement? It was doing well for a while, then the 20th Century hit and now its one of the poorest countries on the planet.

Excluding the Roman Empire Italy was always weakest. In WW1 AH-Italy, and the Ottoman empire was the most powerful empire on earth for a while, and while the Balkan states were weaker but when you look at a Country like Italy, they have a lot more people ta say Serbia. And Serbia manged to survive for 1 year in WW1, the Ottomans lasted for 3 years and then thongs started going very bad. Italy mad no accomplishments in WW1, and managed to lose 750 000 men. Ofc things could have been better if some less stupid than Luigi Cardonna was Chief of Staff, the same goes for Douglas Haig...Worst general the British ever had...GIVE IT UP FOR RAWLINSON THOUGH!!!!!

[Warforger]

Yah during the 1300's, but after that Britain took over the sea's and became the most powerful nation on Earth. The Ottoman Empire weakened over time massacring its own people just to maintain power. Well it also barely held out, the Russians were invading from the East and crushing them swiftly, pre-war they had plans to take over all the lands which Turks resides, which means invading Russia, which is partly why they may have joined, either way, this was never achieved and the Russians invaded, this lead to the Armenian Massacre (say what you want, Genocide or over exaggerated, there are still reports of so many Armenian bodies being dumped into the Euphrates that the River turn red). That's not to mention the fact that while the Battle Of Galipollie was a failure, the Turks still took thousands more casualties then the British and French. Also Serbia doesn't really count, they just had to defend for a year while the Russians were going to win the war, until Bulgaria flanked them unexpectedly (this was a surprise since the Bulgarians didn't really want to be part of Austria-Hungary, but again there ruler was an Austrian Prince, much like how the ruler of Greece was a Danish Duke). This is still ruling out Austria-Hungary, which wasn't doing as well as its buddy Germany during the war, in fact it split towards the end with the new republic of Austria attacking Germany (Hungary remained in a civil war with the monarchy still in power).