1936 Da Bove Pictorial Map of Ethiopia, Horn of Africa

This is a c. 1936 Italian pictorial map of Ethiopia. Although a seemingly innocuous work intended for children filled with depictions of animal life and economic products, this map was likely meant to justify Fascist Italy's unprovoked invasion of Ethiopia, precipitating the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935 - 1937).

A Closer Look

Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa are presented, divided into colonies, protectorates, and kingdoms. Local animals and economic products are illustrated throughout, highlighting the 'riches of Ethiopia,' an implicit justification for Italy's invasion. A legend at top-right explains the shading used to indicate elevation and petroleum resources, forests, 'big game,' and hot springs. Cities, waterways, and the Ethio-Djibouti Railway connecting Addis Ababa to the sea via French Somaliland (Djibouti) are noted. An inset map at bottom-left labels the major regions of Ethiopia.

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

This map almost certainly was published during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The origins of the conflict lie in the 19th century, soon after Italy was itself unified, when it attempted to gain a presence on the continent before the door closed on the 'Scramble for Africa.' Francesco Crispi, twice Prime Minister of Italy in the late 19th century, was desperate for colonies wherever they could be acquired and managed to establish a foothold in Eritrea, and from there expanded a protectorate into Somalia (Italian Somaliland). More ambitious plans to conquer or subjugate Ethiopia resulted in skirmishes throughout the late 1880s and 1890s, known as the First Italo-Ethiopian War, culminating in the Battle of Adwa in 1896, a decisive and humiliating defeat for Italy. In the following decades, tensions between Italy and Ethiopia remained high as the former maintained clear designs on the latter.

The ascension of fascism in Italy provided a boon to pro-colonial nationalists. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Italy modernized its military, maneuvered diplomatically to assure French and British quiescence regarding its aims in Africa, and ginned up border disputes with Ethiopia to justify a conflict. These forces culminated in the Abyssinian Crisis of 1935, a major test for the League of Nations and the international community. Italy was 'exonerated,' largely because France and Britain were more worried about Hitler's Germany than Italian colonialism in Africa (despite later being allies, at this point Hitler and Mussolini eyed each other warily, especially over Hitler's desire to incorporate Austria into the Third Reich).

With any serious diplomatic opposition cleared away, Italy launched an invasion of Ethiopia from Eritrea on October 3, 1935, and two days later sent another army into Ethiopia from Italian Somaliland. The Italians made slow progress through the rugged terrain, meeting stiff resistance, including a counter-attack in December 1935. It was a tough fight with the Ethiopians using weapons provided weapons by Nazi Germany, which wanted to see Italy bogged down and distracted in Africa. Though Addis Ababa was occupied in May 1936, both organized and guerilla resistance continued unabated. Frustrated with the stalwart Ethiopian defense, the Italians turned to chemical weapons and committed major atrocities against prisoners of war and civilians. Though Ethiopia was nominally incorporated into Italy's colonial empire, it was never truly colonized. Moreover, the effort came at a great cost, weakening Italy's position in Europe and presaging its later troubles in attempting to occupy the Balkans.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared under the direction of Flora Germani da Bove as an addendum to the magazine La Vita nella Scuola, seemingly a short-lived publication printed by the firm F. Milani. It is undated, but from context can be assumed to coincide with the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. We are unaware of any other examples of this map in institutional collections or on the market.