Colonial expansion Emperor of Ethiopia thumb|Victor Emmanuel III visiting Hungary in 1937 200px|thumb|King Victor Emmanuel III in his uniform as Marshal of Italy in 1936 Prior to his government's invasion of Ethiopia, Victor Emmanuel travelled in 1934 to Italian Somaliland, where he celebrated his 65th birthday on 11 November. In 1936, Victor Emmanuel assumed the crown as Emperor of Ethiopia. His decision to do this was not universally accepted. Victor Emmanuel was only able to assume the crown after the Italian Army invaded Ethiopia (Abyssinia) and overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.
colonial expansion emperor of ethiopia thumb|victor emmanuel iii visiting hungary in 1937 200px|thumb|king victor emmanuel iii in his uniform as marshal of italy in 1936 prior to his government's invasion of ethiopia victor emmanuel travelled in 1934 to italian somaliland where he celebrated his 65th birthday on 11 november in 1936 victor emmanuel assumed the crown as emperor of ethiopia his decision to do this was not universally accepted victor emmanuel was only able to assume the crown after the italian army invaded ethiopia (abyssinia) and overthrew emperor haile selassie during the second italo-abyssinian war