Final answer:
Ethiopia fended off Italian colonial efforts through military modernization, strategic diplomacy, and significant victories such as the 1896 Battle of Adwa. Although Italy invaded a second time in 1935, Ethiopia's initial successful resistance is a testament to its resolve and strategy.
Step-by-step explanation:
How did Ethiopia fight off the rule of the Italians? Ethiopia successfully repelled Italian colonial attempts through a combination of superior military tactics, modern weapons, and diplomacy. During the First Italo-Ethiopian War, the Italians aimed to enforce their interpretation of the Treaty of Wuchale, which they believed gave them control over Ethiopian foreign policy. However, Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia, upon realizing the disparity between the Italian and Amharic versions of the treaty, worked swiftly to modernize his army with advanced weaponry and European military training. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, where the Ethiopians decisively defeated the Italians, forcing Italy to recognize Ethiopia's independence.
Despite Italy's second invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, led by Mussolini, who utilized air power and poison gas, initial Ethiopian resistance was strong. Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations for assistance, but the international body failed to provide meaningful aid. Ethiopia's resistance was ultimately overtaken by the superior military technology of the Italians, but its ability to fight off the Italians initially in the late 19th century remains a significant example of an African nation successfully maintaining independence during the colonial era.