Menelik II was born August 17, 1844.  He ruled Shewa (Shoa) Abyssinia (Ethiopia), a province of the country, for twenty-five years; before rising to become Ethiopian Emperor in 1889.  Menelik II's reign coincided with the European Scramble for Africa, where European countries invaded the continent of Africa, and carved it up to satisfy imperialistic desires.  Ethiopia stood as one of two independent nations left on the continent -- the other being Liberia.

After a treaty dispute with Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Italy decided on a military solution.  Behind this decision was the desire of Italy to share in the spoils ofr European colonialism and imperialism in Africa.  The following conflict became known as the First Italo-Ethiopian War.

The two sides clashed numerous times, leading up to the decisive battle of the war.  On March 1, 1896, the Italian and Ethiopian armies met at Adwa (Adowa), Ethiopia.  The Italian forces consisted on 17,700 well armed men, with 56 artillery pieces.  Facing them was an Ethiopian force of 120,000 men with 100,000 firearms, and about 40 artillery pieces -- some being obsolete.

The two armies fought, with Emperor Menelik II's soldiers securing an overwhelming victory!  Ethiopian casualties included 4,000-5,000 men killed and 8,000 wounded.  The Italian army was virtually wiped out, suffering 7,000 dead, 1,500 wounded and 3,000 captured.  Captured African soldiers, who fought for the Italians, had body parts amputated to mark them as African traitors.  Consequently, a number of them did not survive their captivity.  As a result of their defeat at the hands of Ethiopia, the Kingdom of Italy signed the Treaty of Addis Ababa which recognized Ethiopian independence.

Menelik II was more than a great wartime leader.  He eagerly embraced modernization for his country; and, his innovations were unprecedented in Ethiopian history.  They include his creation of the Ethiopian capitol, Addis Ababa; the introduction of electricity; construction of modern bridges and telegraph lines; creation of a mint, national currency and a national bank; the first hotel; schools and hospitals; a postal system; and a national newspaper.

Menelik II's reign ended upon his death on December 12, 1913.  He was the father of Ethiopia; and, he would be known for all times, as the person who led the most successful campaign of African resistance to European colonialism and domination.  Menelik II (1844-1913).

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menelik_II

http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/menelik.htm

http://blackhistorypages.net/pages/menelikii.php 

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