How did Ethiopian leaders utilise geography to their advantage in resisting colonisation?

Ethiopian leaders utilised their country's mountainous terrain and strategic location to resist colonisation effectively.

Ethiopia's geographical features played a significant role in its successful resistance against colonisation. The country is largely composed of highlands, with rugged mountains and deep valleys, which made it difficult for foreign invaders to penetrate. The terrain was not only physically challenging but also unfamiliar to the European colonisers, giving the Ethiopians a home-field advantage. They knew the landscape well and could use it to their advantage in warfare, setting up ambushes and using the mountains as natural fortresses.

Moreover, Ethiopia's strategic location also played a crucial role. Situated in the Horn of Africa, it is surrounded by territories that were colonised by different European powers. This meant that no single colonial power could easily dominate Ethiopia without risking conflict with others. The Ethiopian leaders, particularly Emperor Menelik II, were able to exploit these rivalries, playing one power off against another to maintain their independence.

Menelik II also modernised Ethiopia's military, importing weapons and military advisors from France and Russia. The mountainous terrain of Ethiopia made it difficult for the colonisers to bring in heavy artillery, giving the advantage to the Ethiopians with their lighter, more mobile forces. The Battle of Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopian forces defeated an Italian army, is a prime example of this. The Ethiopians used their knowledge of the terrain to surround and defeat the Italians, marking a significant victory for Ethiopia and a major setback for colonial ambitions in Africa.

In addition, Ethiopia's geographical isolation helped to preserve its unique culture and identity, which fuelled a strong sense of nationalism. This nationalism was harnessed by Ethiopian leaders to rally the population against foreign invaders, further strengthening their resistance to colonisation.

In conclusion, Ethiopia's geography – its mountainous terrain, strategic location, and relative isolation – provided a natural defence against colonisation. Combined with astute political and military strategies, these geographical advantages enabled Ethiopia to resist European colonisation successfully.