Ethiopia is the only country in Africa to never have been colonized by a European power. Italy invaded in 1896 but their army was defeated by the warriors of Emperor Menelik II at the battle of Adwa. Forty years later (1935) the Italians re-invaded this time under the orders of Mussolini, Ethiopian forces under the leadership of Emperor Haile Selassie defended their homeland fiercely but were defeated. Selassie, forced into exile, returned 5 years later (1941) with the help of Britain to route the Italians and reclaim his throne.