ACCOUNT FOR THE INITIAL FAILURE AND EVENTUAL SUCCESS OF THE ETIDOPIANS AGAINST EUROPEAN AGGRESSION BETWEEN 1860-1900.

Approach
• Explain the factors that worked against Ethiopian resistance towards European aggression and factors that aided the success there after.
• Logically conclude
Background
European imperial aggression against Ethiopia was two fold, the first one being the British Napier expedition of 1867 against Theodore in which Ethiopia.
defeated .The other was In 1896 in which Ethiopia Emperor Menelik defeated the Italians at the battle of Adowa.
The following do account for the two faced Ethiopia experiences.
Below is the basis of argument
1. Initially Europeans were superior mi1itarily i.e. theNapierexpeditionof1867. However by 1890s Menelik had re-organized the army.
2. In the 1860s Theodore had lost popularity and taste he before the people but by 1890s Menelik had cultivated a lot of loyalty around him
3. In 1860s Theodore had not united the people of Ethiopia but after 1890s Ethiopia was federated which fostered xmity hence success.
4. The British soldiers under the leadership of Napier were prepared while those under the Italian commander BOROTER in 1896 made a number of miscalculations especially attacking prematurely and using faulty maps.
5. In 1860 the reasons for attack were to rescue the British hostages and therefore many Ethiopians never minded however in the 1 890s the Italians wanted to take over Ethiopian independence and therefore it was a national cause.
6. In 1890s Menelik used propaganda of having died of a snake bite but he emperor of the 1860s (Theodore) had run insane and unable to lay military strategies.
7. In 1860s the emperor of the time (Theodore) was not supported by European Powers But in the 1890s menelik drew sympathy from Europeans especially Britain.
8. In 1860s Ethiopia was economically disadvantaged to carry out a successful struggle against the well facilitated British, However m the I S90s the economy had been improved upon by Menelik to over come the weak Italians.
9. In 1860s the emperor of the time (Theodore) had no diplomatic maneuvers and ties, while by 1890s Menelik II held worldwide diplomatic ties.
10. In 1860s the internal policies were dominated by intrigues and treachery (plotting against one another).But by 18905 Menelik was the king of kings (Negus-Negasha) and this had brought unity and hence success.
11. In the 186os the church dominated everything in Europe; by 1890s Menelik had reduced its influence which enabled him to carry out political, social and economic reforms that enhanced a strong economic capacity and cohesion to contain European aggressors (Italians).
12. In the 1860s the Ethiopians lacked natural consciousness (Love for their country) i.e. they directed Napier to where Theodore was hiding However in 1890s they misdirected the Italians thus the Italian default.
In conclusion therefore one can confidently argue that the initial failure of the Ethiopians against the British was due to lack of internal adhesion and proper administrative system of Theodore in 1860s however later with better leadership of Emperor Menelik triumph the Ethiopians managed to triumph over European aggression.