what were the major contributng factors for ethiopias victory at adwa?

1 answer

1. Ethiopian Military Superiority: The Ethiopian army was well-trained and well-equipped, and was led by Emperor Menelik II, a highly capable military leader.

2. Geography: The Ethiopian forces were able to use the mountainous terrain to their advantage, making it difficult for the Italians to maneuver.

3. Superior Numbers: The Ethiopian forces outnumbered the Italians by a significant margin, with an estimated 20,000 Ethiopian soldiers compared to 8,000 Italian soldiers.

4. Religious Motivation: The Ethiopian forces were motivated by their religious beliefs, which included a belief in the divine right of the Ethiopian emperor.

5. Italian Mistakes: The Italian forces made several strategic mistakes, such as underestimating the Ethiopian forces and failing to properly prepare for the battle.