On March 1, 1896, a massive Ethiopian army routed Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa. The battle marked the largest military triumph of an African state over a European army in the 19th century and helped Ethiopia retain its independence during Europe’s “scramble for Africa.” In this lesson students read three different textbook accounts of the battle – two American and one Ethiopian – to investigate the question: How did Ethiopia defeat Italy at the Battle of Adwa?
[All materials updated on 2/13/2026.]
Image: Painting of the Battle of Adwa, unknown artist, 1940-1949. From the British Museum.