First Italo-Ethiopian War


 * Francesco Crispi decides to turn Italian energies to colonial expansion
 * Italy previously had small colonies along the Red Sea, Crispi wants to extend rule to neighboring Ethiopia
 * in 1896, against the better judgement of his military advisors, Crispi sends in 20,000 men (half Italians, half natives) to fight 100,000 French trained, French armed Ethiopians
 * Italians were completely defeated at Adua, difficult mountainous terrain
 * Crispi gov. immediately steps down
 * Crispi’s successor, Antonio Rudini makes peace with Emperor Menelik, thus recognizing independence of Ethiopia