Menelik II's Arsenal: How Ethiopia Won at Adwa

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the military strategy and diplomacy that enabled Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia to defeat a European colonial power at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. They discuss how Menelik modernized his army using imported firearms—especially the rapid-firing Lebel and Gras rifles—and how he played French, Russian, and Italian interests against each other to secure weapons and training. The conversation delves into the role of Empress Taytu Betul, the controversial Article 17 of the Treaty of Wichale, and the impact of the battle on African resistance movements. Lucas explains how Ethiopia maintained its independence while the rest of the continent was partitioned, and how the victory reshaped the balance of power in the Horn of Africa. This is a focused look at the arms race, diplomacy, and military tactics behind one of the most significant African victories against colonialism. #MenelikII #BattleOfAdwa #EthiopianEmpire #TreatyOfWichale #TaytuBetul #StarvationCamp #LebelRifle #GrasRifle #OresteBaratieri #ItalianColonialism #HornOfAfrica #19thCentury #AfricanResistance #ColonialHistory #MilitaryHistory #Adwa1896 #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo