Ethiopia said, "Get away fascists! We got a friend on our side."

From 1936  to 1941 (5 years), Ethiopia joined with Eritrea and Italian Somaliland to form Italian East Africa. During this time, Italy mainly affected Ethiopia though technology and education.

The Italians concentrated on a program of public works, especially on highways and on agricultural and industrial development.

Also, Italians forced Ethiopians to learn about fascism in school, because Mussolini was a fascist.

However, resistance to the occupation continued. Italians dominated cities towns and major caravan routes, while Ethiopian patriots protested the army and defended themselves with large garrisons. (C)

When Italy joined the European war in June 1940, the United Kingdom recognized Haile Selassie(emperor of Ethiopia) as a full ally. Due to World War I from 1914 to 1918, United Kingdom did not like ltaly at all. Soon, the emperor went to Khartoum, Sudan, to help train a British-led Ethiopian Army. This joint force entered Gojam on January 20, 1941. And the enemy soon surrendered. (D)

On May 5, the emperor triumphantly returned to Addis Ababa. He defied the British occupation authorities, and quickly organized his own government. This independence was easy compared to other countries dominated by European powers. Without Great Britain, Ethiopia might be still part of Italy until this day.(C)