Abyssinian War (1935–6) The conquest of Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) by Italian forces was born out of Mussolini's desire to strengthen his domestic position through the establishment of an Italian East African Empire. Furthermore, he wanted to avenge Italy for its previous humiliating defeat by the Ethiopian forces at Adowa in 1896 during an earlier attempt to occupy the area. Following a border clash at the Abyssinian oasis of Walwal, Mussolini rejected all attempts by the League of Nations to mediate, and invaded Abyssinia on 2 October 1935. Some six months ...