Which African country successfully resisted European imperialism and maintained its independence?

1. Analyze the question The question asks which African country resisted European colonial conquest during the "Scramble for Africa" (late 19th century) and remained independent.

2. Explain the concept After the Berlin Conference (1884-85), European powers partitioned Africa. Almost the whole continent was colonized. Only two countries are generally recognized as keeping their sovereignty: Ethiopia and Liberia. (Liberia was founded by freed African-Americans and was effectively under American influence.)

3. Work through the options

• A. Ghana: Colonized by Britain as the Gold Coast. It became independent in 1957, the first sub-Saharan African country to do so.
• B. Ethiopia: Emperor Menelik II defeated Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, forcing Italy to recognize Ethiopian independence in the Treaty of Wuchale's aftermath (Treaty of Addis Ababa). Ethiopia was briefly occupied by Italy (1936-1941), but it was never a colony in the full sense and regained its sovereignty.
• C. Kenya: A British colony; it gained independence in 1963 after the Mau Mau uprising.
• D. Algeria: Colonized by France from 1830, and it won independence in 1962 after a bitter war.

4. Answer The correct option is B. Ethiopia.

5. Exam tip Remember the pair "Ethiopia and Liberia" as the two uncolonized African states, and link Ethiopia with Menelik II and Adwa (1896). JAMB often asks about this in Government and History.