The fundamental causes of the Italo-Ethiopian War included Benito Mussolini's desire for revenge due to Italy's previous defeat at Adwa and economic motivations such as the acquisition of raw materials, markets, and settlement areas . These causes reflect a broader geopolitical interest where Italy aimed to assert its dominance and colonial ambitions in Africa, aligning with its aspiration to emulate other European powers in expanding territorial holdings .

Internal challenges among Ethiopian leaders, particularly the rivalries that existed, significantly undermined their resistance strategy against Italian forces. The lack of unified command and poor coordination between different front leaders resulted in disorganized responses to Italian advances, as seen in the failure to effectively counter Italian artillery and air superiority. This disorganization and rivalry prevented the formation of a cohesive defense strategy, contributing to the collapse of Ethiopian military efforts in key battles .

The immediate cause of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict was the clash on December 5, 1934, at Wal Wal in the Ogaden region, which involved Italian troop infiltration . This incident was significant because it provided Italy with a pretext to escalate military actions against Ethiopia, underlining Mussolini's strategic use of provocations to justify larger military engagements and the subsequent invasion .

Key battles such as the First Battle of Temben, the Battle of Amber Aradom, and the Battle of Maichew were instrumental in shaping the outcome of the Italo-Ethiopian War. The early success of Italian forces in these engagements allowed them to secure strategic positions, debilitating the Ethiopian defense efforts. Particularly at Maichew, where the use of mustard gas demoralized Ethiopian forces, Italy's tactical advantages reinforced their ability to capture key locations like Addis Ababa and negotiate limited resistance subsequently .

The League of Nations' decisions during the Italo-Ethiopian War had a limited impact on altering the course of the conflict. While the League provided a platform for Emperor Haile Selassie to voice Ethiopia's plight, as seen in his address on June 30, 1936, it ultimately failed to enforce significant sanctions against Italy. The decision on July 4, 1936, to end sanctions against Italy highlighted the League's ineffectiveness in stopping aggression and emboldened Italian actions, thereby having little deterrent effect .

Ethiopia sought peaceful arbitration and appealed to the League of Nations for resolution, reflecting Emperor Haile Selassie's strategy to garner international support and intervention in preventing Italian aggression . However, the strategy was ultimately ineffective in mitigating the invasion. Although it did lead to international condemnation and some moral support, the League's decision to lift sanctions against Italy on July 4, 1936, indicated the lack of decisive action to deter Italian expansionism .

The Ethiopian military organized a counter-offensive along three fronts, led by Ras Mulugeta Yigezu, Ras Seyum Mengesha, and Ras Emeru Halle Sellassie . Despite the strategic deployment, the outcomes were largely unfavorable due to Italian technological superiority and strategic entrenchment. Key battles such as the First Battle of Temben and the Battle of Amber Aradom resulted in significant Ethiopian losses, demonstrating tactical challenges such as lack of coordination and rivalries among leaders, which were exploited by the Italians .

The Italian victory over Ethiopia was primarily attributed to the ineffective counter-offensive by Ethiopia, which suffered from lack of coordination, communication, and inter-leadership rivalries . Additionally, the Italian forces had heavy artillery, air support, well-entrenched fortifications, and technical superiority, all of which compounded Ethiopian defenses and reflected the limitations of Ethiopia's military capabilities in facing a modern and systematically organized army .

Technological and tactical superiority played a crucial role in Italy's rapid advance during the Italo-Ethiopian War. Italian forces benefited from heavy artillery, superior aircraft, and better communication and coordination, which allowed systematic sieges and offensives against Ethiopian positions. This was evident in engagements like the Second Battle of Tembien and the use of mustard gas at the Battle of Maichew, where Ethiopian forces suffered substantial setbacks due to the technological gap .

Emperor Haile Selassie's appeal to the League of Nations on June 30, 1936, had broader implications in drawing international attention to the aggression faced by sovereign states and the limitations of international bodies in preventing acts of warfare. His dignified appeal highlighted the failure of collective security mechanisms, influencing global opinions about the League's capacity to enforce peace. It also raised awareness about the need for reform in international cooperative frameworks, preluding shifts towards more robust international peacekeeping initiatives later in the century .