Question

base your answers to question 12 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.
in 1896, italy, a late - comer to the family of nations and slow - footed scrambler for colonial spoils in africa, made her move to conquer ethiopia, the only remaining prize on the continent unclaimed by europeans. expansionist leaders of the recently unified kingdom of italy dreamed of a second roman empire, stretching from the alps to the equator, and it was assumed that a show of military would quickly bring the “barbarian” lands and riches into an africa orientale italiana. the italian dream was turned into a nightmare, however, in the mountain passes and valley near the northern ethiopian city of adwa by the knockout punch by the mailed fist of a greater ethiopia. the italians retreated, humiliated. on the other hand, the battle put ethiopia on the map of the modern world.
source: theodore m. vestal, “reflections of the battle of adwa and its significance for today,” the battle of adwa: reflections on ethiopia’s historic victory against european colonialism, paulos milkias and getachew metaferia (eds.), 2005.

1. the battle of adwa is uncharacteristic of the scramble for africa in that

(1) international organizations prevented conflict over colonies
(2) europeans agreed to preserve the territorial claims of native people
(3) europeans were at a technological disadvantage to a native population
(4) native forces were able to overcome the superior technology of europeans

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the Battle of Adwa context. In the Scramble for Africa, Europeans usually had superior technology and colonized successfully. At Adwa, Ethiopian (native) forces defeated Italy (European) despite Italy’s technological edge.

• Option 1: No international org prevented conflict here. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Europeans didn’t agree to preserve native claims; they sought colonization. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Europeans had technological advantage, not disadvantage. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Matches—Ethiopia (native) overcame Italy’s (European) superior tech.

Answer:

(4) Native forces were able to overcome the superior technology of Europeans