UNIT THREE
Features of the Zamana Masafent (1769-1855)
• During Zamana Masafent, the Kings or Emperors were lost their authority, economic, political and military powers
• The Gondorine emperors became remained as a puppet
• Declined the Powers of the Emperors, while strengthened the powers of the Regional Lords
• Charecterazed by civil wars, political, religious, social and economical disorder
• Weakened trade, religious division among the Orthodox Churches and affected the life of the Peasants
• Shifta, lords and solders were feed by farmers and foreign threaten and against independence of the Ethiopia
√ Shewa was completely independent and isolated from the war during the Era of Prince due to traded with foreign
Kasa Hailu or Emperor Tewodros II (1855-1868)
• He was born from poor family in Quara, Gondaar in1818 and grew up with his half- brother named Kinfu
• He gate Church education and own military training
• He defeated by Egyptian at Battle of Dabarqi in 1848 during he was a shifta
• The Yejju Oromo King Ali II (1831-1853) married his daughter called Tewabech with Tewodros II and crowned him as govt Qu'ara to appeasement due to he challenged them, but not
•Tewodros II took the name Tewodros II, it was prophesied that King by the name Tewodros II would come to rule and bring peace after a period of trouble that written in book called Fekare Iyasu
√Tewodros dream was to restore imperial power, reunification and modernization Ethiopia by force, but not finished
• The first military expedition for political reunification was to against Wollo and Shoa
• Tewodros became unpopular due to burning house, cutting off hand, feet and lips of Peoples
• Harvest to ashes, killed peoples and throw to hole and gorge in most regions like Shoa and Wollo
• Looting, fired and sword peoples of Wollo and Showa in one place
The two internal opposition of Tewodros II were Local Rulers or Regional Lords and the Clergies
• The regional lords did not want to lose their traditional economic, military and political authority
•Tewodros II conflict with Clergies due to broke down the tradition of exemption of Church Land from tax
• He reduced the number of priests and deacons in each of Church two and three respectively
• Tewodros II reduced the size of church land, take away and giving it to tribute paying Peasants
• Tewodros imprisoned the bishop Abune Salama, who died in 1867 in prison
√Tewodros II wanted to import the technical know-how for manufacturing firearms and skilled personnel from Europe, but remaining fruitless
• Tewodros II gathered Europeans missionaries who living in the country at Gafat, near Debre Tabor and persuaded them as to manufacture firearms
• The missionaries were not skilled in produce firearms, however, obeying for the King order, they repaired broken firearms and manufactured cannons, and mortar named Sebastopol
• Tewodros II detained Europeans due to he could not get a response from he asked
√Europeans (Britain and France) warned Tewodros II to released their captives and promised to get skilled personel, however he refused to do as they asked
• The Britain sent military expedition led by Sir Robert Napier to Maqdala in 1867 to released the detained
• About 2000 British troops defeated about 4000-7000 Tewodros II army at Battle of Eroghe on 10, April 1868
• Refused to accept a British demand for unconditional surrender, Tewodros II committed suicide on 13, April 1868
• Tewodros II released the captives and Britain began to withdrew without delay from the Ethiopia
• Napier gave firearms to Kasa Mircha, because he supported Britain and helped defeated of Tewodros II
Tewodros II tried to stop the Slave trade, polygamy, division whithin the Church, banditry and looting of Peasants by troops, but not last longer
•He set up national salaries for troops and introduced a hierarchy of command in his army (10th, 50th&100thcommands)
Three contenders fought like Wagshum Gobaze of Lasta, Ras Mekowanent Kasa Mircha of Tigray and Negus Menelik II of Shoa for emperorship after the death of emperor Tewodros II
Wagshum Goboze or Takla Giorgis (1868-1871)
-Became immediately an emperor after death of Tewodros, not controlled the whole regions except Amhra
-Takla Giorgis crowned himself without recognized by any regional Lords
- Wagshum attempt to extend to Tigray, however, defeated at Battle of Assem in1871 by Kasa Mircha of Tigray
Kasa Mircha orYonannis IV (1872-1889)
• Yohanis IV was flexible and did not often fight repeated war to unification Ethiopia as others emperors (not used war)
• He famous by turned his enemies into a friends and shared powers to regional Lords (followed Federal Approaches)
• Example in 1881, Yohannis IV crowned Adal Tasama named Takla Hayimanot as king of Gojjam and Kaffa to check or stop Menelik II expansion, advanced to the SW Ethiopia
• Yohannis IV was challenged by Egyptian and Menelik II in the same time, but he gave priority to against Egypt and postponed with Menelik II until Leche Treaty
√ Menelik II calling himself king of Kings, expanding his territories toward Wollo, contacting with foreign country independently and refused pay tribute to emperor Yohannis IV
The Leche Agreement (20 March, 1878)
√ The peace initiated by Menelik II, because He, fear military superiority of Yohannis IV
√Yohannis IV did not want to fight with internal kings due to invaded by Egypt
According to the Leche Agreement: -
• Menelik II agreed to pay tribute to Yohannis IV and he recognized Yohannis IV as emperor
• Menelik II to drop the king of kings, only used title king of Shoa and to stop his independence with foreigners (Italy)
• Menelik II gote recognition for his authority over Wollo and hereditary king ship over Shoa
• Menelik II and Yohannis IV agreed to help each other against common enemies
√ Menelik II and Takla Hayimanot were not remaining royalty to Yohannis IV
√ In 1888 they made a plot to against Yohannis IV when he was challenged by Italian and Mahdist Sudan invasion
Borumeda Council (May 1878)
- Set up to ended the religious division and declared that Orthodox became as official state religion of Ethiopia
- Yohannis IV wanted to complete unity, to uniformity religion and to build strong State
- All Muslims, specially, Muslims of Wollo, were orderd to embrace Christanity by force
- Who refused conversion to Christanity must be persecution, confiscation of their properties and lose their land
The two Wollo Muslim leader became Christianity to save from victims of Menelik II were the following:-
1. Mohammad Ali became Christianity after baptismal name called Ras Mikael
2. Ahmed Liban became Haile Mariam (Abba Watew) after Christianity by force
- People who remained in Wollo against under the leader of Shakh Talha of Argoba, but crushed later
- Who refused conversion to Christianity, exiled to Gurage, Jima, Arsi and Mettema to keep their original religions
Resistance to Egyptian
Ethiopia and Egypt had a long history of relationship on culture, commerce and religion, but in the 19thc they entered in to conflict due to Egypt expansion on to the Horn of Africa as the source of Blue Nile
√ Egyptian began threat Ethiopia during Zamana Masafent
√ The Ethio- Egyptian conflict continued and reached its peak during reigns of Tewodros and Yohannis respectively
Why Khedive Ismail of Egypt (1863-1879) did wanted aggression Ethiopia?
- To control the source of Nile Basin, Blue Nile to build Great Egypt in NE Africa
- Egypt gate support from Europeans due to significant of Suez Canal
- Egyptian used a pretext to eradication of the Slave trade and expansion of western civilization in to Africa
- Egyptian believed that the political crisis and Britain armies in 1868 more weaken Ethiopia after death of Tewodros II
In 1875, Egyptian gets support from Europeans and invaded Ethiopia through three ports
1. Mohammad Rauf Pasha via Zeila and controlled Harar from 1875-1885
2. A Swiss- German named Werner Munzinger, referred to as the architect of Egyptian aggression in Ethiopia and penetrated through Tajura with 500 men in to Afar to controlled Shoa, but killed by Afar people before reached Shoa
3. A Danish Colonel, Arrendrup entered through Merebe Melash from Massawa
√ Yohannis IV warned Egyptian to withdrawal and defined his boundaries, but Egypt refused
Ethiopia sent letters to Britain, France, German, Austria and Russia by said:--
- Unlawfully of invasion of Ethiopia by Egypt
- Egyptian were Islamized and enslaved Ethiopians peoples, however, Europeans gave deaf ear to his protest
Despite Yohannis absence aid from Europeans, he mobilized 20,000 troops to defend Ethiopia from Egyptian
- On 16 November 1875, Yohannis IV defeated and killed Arrendrup, Egyptian commander at Battle of Gundet
- The war finished two hours and 1300 Egyptian soldiers were killed in the Battle
- A large number of Egyptian troops and firearms fell in to the hand of Ethiopians
- Ethiopia gained victory, but not restored her regions like Bogos, Merebe Melash and Massawa
√ Khedive Ismael began preparation for another attack on Ethiopia to avenge his former humiliated defeat at Gundet
- About 15,000 well- armed Egyptian troops under the command of Mohammed Ratib and American General Loring invaded Ethiopia in the North
- The 2nd Ethio- Egyptian battle was fought on 7-9 March 1876 at aplace known as Gura
- Ethiopia scored twice victory on Egypt, but heavy losses on both Countries
- About 3500 died and 2500 Egyptian taken as prisoners and Ethiopia lost 4000 troops but not prisoners of the war
The military victory of Gundet and Gura were not clear out Egyptian from Ethiopia because of the following:
- The Egyptians remained in control of occupied regions and ports of Ethiopia
- Yohannis IV did not want to risk his victory army due to exhausted by continuing attack on Egypt
- Yohannisalso wanted to know the reaction of the Europeans to the crisis and chose to try a peaceful solution
-Yohannis IV preferred postponing further war and pushing his victory to its logical conclusion
Egypt demanded reparation payment, release of prisoners and cession of occupied Ethiopian regions. These terms made the conclusion of the conflict by formal peace treaty far from being achievable. Eventually, a period of "no peace and no war" continued for the eight years between Ethiopia and Egypt
The Hewett Treaty or Adwa Treaty (June 3, 1884)
Egypt and Britain were wanted to a diplomatic alliance with Ethiopia for two reasons
1. Egypt fell to British occupation in 1882
2. The rise of a religious revivalist and nationalist movement by Mahadists Sudan, began to dismantle Egyptian
Control of Sudan from 1821-1881
The Mahadists defeated Egyptian troops in the Sudan and encircled Egyptian via Ethio-Sudanese board
To relieve the trapped Egyptian troops, Britain wanted to sign a peace treaty that would end the Ethio- Egyptian conflict. The only way to rescue and escaped Egyptian trapped solders via Ethiopia
Britain sent her envoy; Rear Admiral Sir William Hewett signed treaty called Hewett Treaty with Ethiopia
The importance of the Adwa Treaty was to ended Ethio-Egyptian conflict and by British diplomatic
According to the agreements of the Adwa Treaty: -
1. Promised to Ethiopia free transit via the port of Massawa
2. Restoration of occupied regions to Ethiopia (Bogos) following the withdrawal of Egyptian troops
3. Ethiopia promised to facilitate the evacuation of the Egyptian encirled troops in Eastern Sudan, via Ethiopian territory to Massawa, and then to Egypt
in fulfillment of the promised, Yohannis IV ordered Ras Alula to rescue the Egyptian troops in Sudan and fighting Mahadists Sudan at battle of Kufit in 1885
Consequences of the Hewett Treaty
- Mahadists attacks, looting, material destruction and enslavement people of Ethiopia
- Bogos was returned to Ethiopia, but Massawa was handed to Italy by order of Britain to check and stop expansion of France in the Red Sea
- Egyptian troops withdrew from Tajura, Zeila and Berber
- British had already control Gulf of Aden since 1839, occupied the ports Zeila and Berbera and created heir colony of British Somaliland
- French formed their colony of French Somaliland by expanding from their 1862 possession of Obock (Djibouti)
- The port of Assab purchased by a private Italian Shipping Company (Rubbatino Company) in 1869 had already taken by govt of Italy in 1882
Ethio-Mahadist Conflict
- Hewett Treaty was started armed clashed between Ethiopia and Sudan
- Yohannis busy with Italy and sent Takla Hayimanot to defend Mahadist, but he was defeated at battle of Sarwuha in 1887 by Mahadist
- On 9 March Mahadist Sudan defeated and killed Yohannis IV at Battle of Matamma
- Despite initial success of the Ethiopians, but lost victory due to Yohannis IV wounded and his army retreated
- Mahadist Sudan captured his corpse and beheaded as a sign of revenge
- Menelik II crowned as an emperor of Ethiopia (1889-1913)
Imperial Expansion to the South, South-West and South- East
The aim of the Menelik II expansion was to built up his military powers, to conquest prosperity regions, to control trade routes and possessed valuable, luxury items of trade
Methods of Menelik II expansion were forceful way and peaceful way submission
The Gibe States, the Wollega, Illubabor, Christian Gurage people known as Kistane or Northern Gurage were incorporated via peaceful way, while the remaining States were subdued through war
Steps of Menelik II Expansion
1. 1870-1889, during he was a king of Shoa
- He subjugated Northern Gurage, Arsi, Illubabor, Wollega, Gibe and Harar
The Christan Gurage were subdued via peaceful due to co- religionists (Christians), geographical proximity Northern Shoa and owning to their traditional protracted wars with the neighboring Oromo
The Southern Gurage (Silt), Muslim Gurage resisted under their leader Hasan Enjamo, however, subdued in 1888 led by Ras Gobena
√ Menelik II and Takla Hayimanot minor clash in Limu, but a decisive battle was fought at battle of Embabo on 6 June 1882. The war was concluded by victory of Menelik II and captivity of Takla Hayimanot. The battle of Embabo was helped Menelik II as to expansion to Southwest and Southern to control the resources of trade routes
The Arsi Oromo defeated and captured Menelik II at battle of Albaso, however, finally they defeated at battle of Azule in1886 led by Ras Darge, cousin of Menelik II
The emirate of Harar led by Abdullah opposed Menelik II but beaten at Chalanko in 1887
√ During his expansion, Menelik II coincided by the Great Famine
- The immediate cause of the great famine or Kifu Qan (1889-1892) was cattle epidemic disease called render pest, imported with infected cattle from India
- The North and central Ethiopia were affected by killed of cattle, farming difficult, disrupting production and trade
- The people were moved from north to less affected regions, Southern
2. 1889-1897, before Adwa and after he became an emperor, Menelik II submitted Walayta, Bale and Sidama
3. 1896-1900, post Adwa; he controlled Ogaden, Assosa, Gumuz, Borana, Komosha and Kaffa
Menelik II created buffer zone (demarcated) between the interior and neighboring Europeans colonies.
The complete modern boundary of Ethiopia was demarcated with the neighboring between 1897-1908
- Italian colony of Eritrea in1908 - Anglo- Egyptian Sudan (Sudan) in 1902
- French Somaliland (Djibouti) in 1907 - British East Africa (Kenya) on 1907
- Italian Somaliland (SE Somaliland) in 1908
Italian Aggression against Ethiopia
Factors that encouraged Italians expansion in to Ethiopia were
1. The ports of Assab (1862) and Massawa (1885)
2. In 1876, Italian Geographical Society led by Antinori came to Shoa and Menelik II gave site called Let Marefia. They used as a scientific study and intelligence work in Ethiopia
3. Alliance with Menelik II, used as subverting. Menelik II signed Treaty with Antonelli of Italy in 1883 to consul exchange, free trade, free movement of their nations and freedom of religious propagation
Italy attempt to encroach in to Mereb Melash, today Eritrea. Alula warned to clear out of his country, but Italy refused. Alula Engida or Alula Abba Naga, govt of Mereb Melash crushed Italians 500 at the battle of Dogali in1887
Britain sent Portal to Yohannis IV for peace negotiation and proposed to
- A war indemnity (reparation) for Italy and Ethiopia apology for Alul's attack
- Cession regions of Ethiopia like Saati, Wia, Asswarta and Habhab to Italy
Yohannis IV choice war rather than peace due to dishonest and unfairness of Hewett Treaty
- Yohannis IV destroyed Italian fortress at Saati in1888, but the war not actually due to Italians not come out from their fortress to meeting Ethiopian arms
-Yohannis IV faced by invasions of Mahadist, Italy and rebellers of Takla Hayimanot and Menelik II at the same time
-Yohannis IV did not fought Menelik II at that time due to Mahadist and Italy invaded Ethiopia, but he attacked Takla Hayimanot, who did not had external aid
Italians promised 5000 rifles to Menelik II for fighting Yohannis IV, but the rifles not reached Menelik II on time
-Menelik feared military superiority of Yohannis, but Italy wanted to used Menelik as subverting to against Yohannis
- Then Menelik singed treaty known as Convention of Neutrality in 1887with Italy, neither help Italy, nor support Yoh
The Wuchale Treaty (May 2, 1889)
√ Signed between Italy, represented by Antonelli and Ethiopia represented by Menelik II
√ The Wuchale Treaty had XX (20) articles, but the most important and raise conflict were articles III (3) and XVII (17)
√ The Article III delimited the boundary between Italian occupied regions of Merebe Melash included villages of Arafali, Segeneiti, Asmara, Adi Yohannis served as a boundary line for Italian possessions from East to West
Additional Convention signed between Italy, represent by Crispi and Ethiopia represent by Mekonnen, cousin of Menelik II at Rome on 1 October 1889 to ratification the whole Wuchale Treaty as effective occupation further regions of Ethiopia
Then Italy occupied the whole regions as far as Merebe Melash Rivers and declared as her Colony of Eritrea in 1890
√ The Article XVII was the role of Italy in Ethiopian's foreign relations
• Amharic Version: - Ethiopia could use Italy in her diplomatic relation with other Europeans and Foreigners
• Italian version: - Ethiopia obligation to make all her Foreigners relations with Europeans via agency of Italy
√ Italy notified to Britain and German, Ethiopia had became an Italian protectorate, but France and Russia reservation
√ Italy followed policy of persuasion, collaboration and subversion in Ethiopia, but not successful
√ Merebe Convention signed in 1891 between Italy and Mengesha Yohannis, who was choose as successor of Yohannis IV and ruler of Tigray
- Mengesha promised to Italy to against Menelik II by said “the enemy of my enemy is my friend"
√ Nevertheless, the former Italian collaborators like Alula, Mengesha and Bahte Hagos were betrayed Italy and returned to help Menelik du to Italy done fascist on Ethiopia
√ Menelik II abrogated the whole Wuchale Treaty with his wife in 1893
√Bahte Hagos, govt of Akale Guzay in Eritrea prepared a peasants rebellion against the Italy, but finally defeated
√ Italy defeated Mengesha and Alula at Battle of Quatit and Senafe, occupied Tigray in Sep 1895
The Battle of Adwa (on 1 March 1896)
• Menelik II mobilized more than 100,000 soldiers from all societies and imported firearms from France and Russia
• Taytu recruited 1200 women service as combats, fighters, nursing, supplies, clearing roads and guarding camps
• Italian reported said Menelik's II mobilization; it looks as if the whole population was moving for war
• Baratieri, Italian chief general recruited about 20,000 soldiers majority from Eritrea called Askaris
Before Adwa two battles fought between Ethiopia and Italy
1. On 7 Dec 1895 at Amba Alage, Southern Tigray Ethiopian army led by Gebeyu Gurmu defeated and killed Italian solders included commander Major Toselli
2. By commander of Taytu, led by Mekonnen, Ethiopian solders siege Makale and encircled Italian for 14 weeks
• Ethiopia closed water and provision passed to Italy due to could not broken Italians fortress
• Italians surrendered and Menelik allowed to Italians as safe evacuation wanted to peace solution in Tigray
• Italian commanders led by Baratieri, Abertone, Arimondi and Dabormida fought the last decisive battle at Adwa
• Ethiopia scored smashing victory on Italy at Adwa in 1896
Factors that enable Ethiopian victory at Adwa
- Italian faulty reading of maps and geography of Ethiopia helped victory of Menelik II
- Italian army was one- fifth of Ethiopia, but Italy had better firearms than Ethiopia
- Italy had no exact number and tactics of Ethiopia
- Italian gathered false information from local people or spies by saying, March 1, 1896 the day of commemoration of Saint George, Ethiopia never fighting holiday said by Basho Awalow
- Conflict among Italian leaders and shortage of food and materials
- Wrong military strategy, lack of leadership and poor co-ordination among Italian brigadiers
- Unity, moral supporters from all nations of Ethiopia
Consequences of the Battle of Adwa
• The sovereignty of Ethiopia was recognized, but Merebe Melash was remained under Italy until 1991
• Europeans opened their Legations in Finfinne: Italy (1896), Britain & France (1897), USA (1903), German (1905)
• Europeans possessing colonies adjacent to Ethiopia delimited their boundaries between Ethiopia and their colonies
• The Adwa victory has been a symbol of Africans pride and Ethiopia scored the first major black victory over the White
• Foreign travelers, Merchants and others Foreigners came to Ethiopia
• Shock, anxiety and disturbance wide spread in Italy
Demonstrators in Italy bearing slogan like, Viva Menelik Viva Taytu demanded to:-
- Court-Martial of General Baratieri (supreme general)
- Withdrawal of Italy from Africa, but the govt reduced colonial budget and postponed colonial ambition in Ethiopia
- Crispi, Italian Premier Minister at that time resigned immediately from his power
The Addis Ababa Treaty signed between Italy and Menelik on 26 October 1896 to: -
- The treaty concluded the Italo-Ethiopian dispute
- Italy agreed to the cancellation of the Wuchale Treaty and recognized the complete independence of Ethiopia
- Ethiopia agreed to continuation of Italian colonial control over Eritrea and to release Italian prisoners of war
In Southern Africa, the Zulu defeated Britain in 1897 at Isandhlwana, but Britain win latter
- Not only Zulu Nations, but also others Black Africa formed religious separatist movement known as Ethiopianism, indicated the pride, respective and dignity of Black in the World
Britain suffered the defeat of Italy because she standing Italy as watchdog to blocking France expansion to Red Sea and White Nile
- Britain hastened to conquer Sudan in the name of Egypt due to Ethiopia beaten Italy
- Britain and Egypt joint army defeated Mahadist at battle of Omdurman in 1898 and established Anglo- Egyptian Condominium over the Sudan
- The Britain plan not stops France moving to the Nile and France army faced with Britain at Fashoda Incidence (1898) -The war avoided by the withdrawal of France without bloodshed
-Inspired African nationalist movement and Pan-Africanism, to against colonialism
- The Blacks of Africa began struggle in America and Europe for their right and freedom
Post Adwa new things emerged that indicated the modernization of Ethiopia
1. Motor Car (1904) 8. Djibouti Addis Ababa Railway (1917)
2. Bank of Abysia (1905) 9. Alliance Francais School in Dire Dawa and Finfinne (1912)
3. Itege Taytu Hotel (1907) 10. Tafari Mekonnen School (1925)
4. Menelik II School (1908) 11. Berhanena Selam News Paper (1925)
5. Menelik II Hospital (1910) 12. Minister of Education Created (1930)
6. Printing Machine (1912) 13. Trained Imperial Body Guard by Belgium (1930)
7. Air Plane (1929) 14. Military Academy training by Sweden at Holeta Genet (1934)
Inception of Political Rivalry in Ethiopia
Beginning from the 1906, Power struggle started in the Palace among the ruling class on the issue of political succession due to two problems happened in the same time (1906)
1. Sickness and illness of Menelik II in 1906 by stroke disease, which weakened to leading the Country
2. Death of Ras Mekonnen in 1906, who expected Menelik II heir and succession
The Tripartite Treaty (December 1906)
√ This Treaty was signed among Britain, France and Italy
√ The main objective of Tripartite Treaty were to: -
1. Avoiding and worrying opening of German Legation in Ethiopia
- They feared German may affected their economic, political and others interests in Ethiopia
- They wanted to smooth running their ambitions in Ethiopia
2. To partition Ethiopia due to sickness of Menelik II and no any successor to Menelik II
- They needed to fulfill their respective interests in Ethiopia
3. The treaty contained mutual recognition of the signatory powers for each other's zone of economic in Ethiopia
- The area through which the railway line passes, Finfinne to Djibouti, (Finfinne, Bishoftu, Miesso, Modjo, Adama, Dire Dawa and Harar)
- Britain to control Nile Basin and its sources
- Italy connects and constructs Eritrea and Italian Somali land (SE Somali) by railway
√ Menelik II takes measure to solve internal and external problems for political stability and running of his Country
1. October 1907, he established the first Council of Nine Ministers
These were ministers of War(Fitawari Habte Giorgis),Pen (Tsehafi Tizaz G. Sellassie W. Aregay), Justice (Afe Negus Nesebu Mesqelo), Commerce and Foreign Affairs (Negadras Haile Giorgis W. Mikael), Finance ( Bejrond Mulgeta Yegezu), Palace (Azazh Metaferia Tsadiq), Public Work ( Qegnazmatch Mekonnen), Interior (Liqe Mequas Ketema) Agriculture ( Kantiba W. Tsadiq)
These ministers cabinet were recruited from high ranking civil, military officials and no one educated cabinets
2. In 1909 designated and announced Lij Iyasu as his heir with Regent Tesema Nadew from 1909-1911 govt of Illubabor
- Iyasu was the son of Shewareged and Michael, the ex- Muslim Chief of Wollo (Mohammad Ali)
- He was 12 years old during appointed and Menelik grand son
The Challenges of Taytu
• Taytu had no offspring of her own to throne and upset future political power for herself and her relatives
• She worried due to death of Mekonnen, who married her niece, Mentewab Wolle & absence of her families to throne
• Taytu preferred Zewditu to throne, daughter of Menelik II from Abichiwu to married with her nephew Gugsa Wolle
• She hoped to secure political power for her families through political marriage tie
• The Shoan nobility and Taytu were not happy the throne of Lij Iyasu, due to he was a son of Wollo and feared his father might use the position of his son
• Menelik II tried to appease Taytu by a marriage her grand niece, Romanworqi of Mengesha Yohannis with Lij Iyasu, but not happiness Taytu
• Taytu making promotion and demotion of Shoan nobility (same ministers of Menelik)
• Example she demoted Habte Giorgis and Negadras Haile Giorgis ministers of war and commerce respectively
•Taytu demoted Menelik Ministers or Shoan Nobility and promoted her relative key position
• Taytu entered great hostility with Ras Michael and old Ministers of Menelik due to feared their political power
• they removed Taytu from power in 1910 to told to taking care of your dying husband, rather than involving in politics
• Taytu and was exiled to the Church saint Mary at Entoto stayed until her death in 1918
• That coup against Taytu was followed by reshuffling of political power on behalf of the Shoan nobility
Lij Iyasu or Iyasu V (1913-1916)
-The reign of Lij Iyasu lacks fair and objective documentation in the existing literature, written only his weaknesses
- Lij Iyasu was not crowned as an Emperor even after the death of Menelik, however, he was exercised full political power from 1911-16 since death of Tesema Nadow (regent of Iyasu from 1909-1911)
- One of the old Shoan noblemen, as Abate Buayalew was threat to the power of Lij Iyasu after death of Tesema Nadow
- Intention of Abate was marrying Zewditu and rule of Ethiopia as her viceroy
- Abate wanted to in position of Tesema as a regent of Lij Iyasu, but not due to lyasu refused to accept another regent
- Abate tried to break into the palace forcefully, but failed by defense of imperial guard and intervention of the bishop
- Abate was imprisoned at Mekdala until the 1916
Moderning Reforms of Lij Iyasu
1. Established a system of auditing govt revenue to protect public property and exposed the embezzlement
2. Formed a Municipal Police (Rondi) nick named Terunbulle Policy
3. Separated department of Education from Church, Iyasu was the first secularization of modern Ethiopia
4. Tried to gave Muslim equal in administration hierarchy
5. He ended the practice of Leba shay and Quragna system
6. Lij Iyasu modified method of Tithe (Asrat) collection. Stopped tax paid based on estimation before harvest
√ Leba shay was method of thief detection in which a young boy took a drug, running her and there around things had been stolen. The owner of the house before boy fall accused as theft and prisoned
√ Quragna was in which both the accuser and the accused were chained together until justice was given
Factors that brought the down fall of Lij Iyasu
Internal Factors
- Lack of responsibility and wandering in the provinces
- Engaging in sexual activity, adultery, prostitution and polygamous marriage
- Playing boy character, dancing in bars, drinking, escort, curfew and sporting
- Gave position and promoted for Muslims and his young relatives friends in place of old nobility
- Disrespect and contempt of the old nobility by said, my father fattened sheep and invite your wives
- Travelling in the country, immorality and irresponsible leadership,
The real cause conflict between Lij Iyasu and Shoan nobility was not his personal weaknesses, not his young leader, not his bad behavior, rather the political power
- Lij Iyasu dismissed the noblemen and crowned his father as govt of Northern Tigray, Wollo, Gojjam and Begemidir
- Lij Iyasu took Sidama from Balcha Safo and war minister from Habte Giorgis and gave to his relative Haile Giorgis
- He removed Teferi Mekonnen from his family in Harar and transferred to Kaffa
External Factors
√ The Britain, France and Italy against Lij Iyasu's two policies
1. Iyasu become a close friend with Turkey and German, were the enemies of these Tripartite Powers of in the WWII
2. Lij Iyasu gave moral and materials supports to the Somali nationalist movement, Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, who resistance against Britain, France and Italy in the Horn of Africa
√ The coup deposed Lij Iyasu from his power on 27 September 1916, when he was a Jijiga
- Lij Iyasu tries to defend his power, but defeated due to lack of troops at the battle of Mieso
-Michael tries to reinstate his son to power and scored a minor victory initial at the battle of Tola Mesk on 17 Oct 1916
-Finally, Michael completely defeated at the decisive and bloody battle of Segele on 27, October 1916, near Sheno
-Negus Michael, father of Lij Iyasu died after two years in prisoner
- Lij Iyasu remained a fugitive, until captured in Tigray in 1921 and imprisoned at Fitche
- In 1932, Iyasu tried to escape but captured and transferred to Garamulata, Hararge, where he died in prison in 1936
The Mahal Sefari (solders or civil servants closely attached to palace), Clergies, Taytu, Old Shoan Nobility or Ministers of Menelik and foreign took part in the coup di'etat of Lij Iyasu
The Diarchy Rule (1917- 1930)
- The fall of Michael ended the autonomy of Wollo and, the fall of Iyasu marked the restoration of the Shewan political
- The term diarchy refers to the Dual Rule, Zewditu as empress and Ras Teferi as heir to the throne on 1 Feb 1917
- Zewditu was the first women as head of state, but she was politically less
- Power struggle began b/n Zewditu and Teferi due to he started to grow up from heir to regent, concentrated power, military, external relations, , administration and dominated key position that angry the old Shoan Nobility and Zewditu
- The council of minister was reorganized under the chairmanship of the minister of war Fitwarari Habte Giorgis
- Teferi and Zewditu made disagreement and divided into the two major groups
1. The Traditional Group or Conservative
-Consisted from old Shoan nobility and led by empress Zewditu
-Political conservative, not went new, resist change and keep the past
-Spiritual support of the bishops and against foreign investment in Ethiopia
-Defend old order of religion, economic, political and opposed growing power of Ras Teferi Mekonnen
2. The Progressive Group or Modernization
- Made of young educated, enlightened, intellectual and led by Teferi
- Believe in change, growth, modernization, foreign relation, investment and against feudalism and old older
The balance of power gradually shifted in favor of Teferi and his natural gifts of patience, capacity to hide his moves, plan, determination political experience and cunning helped his succeeded to siege the political power
Factors that helped Teferi rise to Power
1. In 1918, he dismissed the 12 members of the Council of Ministers from power by order of the empress in response to public demonstration represented by the Mehal Sefari and accused by corruptions and embezzlement
- Only minister of war, Habte Giorgis, remained in power due to play great role at Segele, aplace where Michael beaten
Mehali Sefari: - were soldiers and civil servants who closely attached to the Palace
2. The capture of Lij Iyasu in 1921 eliminated one rival for the throne
3. In 1923 Ethiopia became a member of the League of Nations under the precondition of the decreed abolition of the Slave Trade in 1923 and Slavery in 1924
4. In 1924 Ras Teferi and some nobility made tour to Europe seeking to Western civilization focused on Schools, factories, hospitals , Churches, administration, military training and other institutions
- The visiting Countries (Britain, France, Greece, Jerusalem, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg, Sweden, Switzerland and Egypt)
5. In 1926, natural death of Fitawari Habte Giorgis and Abune Mathewos were a golden opportunity for Teferi
- These were the two strong military and religious challenged of Ras Teferi respectively
- Teferi took over the army of Fitawarari Habte Giorgis and distributed his large tract of land to allies
6. In 1927 Ras Teferi surrendered Balcha Safo, hero of Adwa and govt of Sidama, prosperity province
- Teferi gave Sidama to his son - in- law, Ras Desta Damtew
7. In 1928 Teferi submitted Dejjazmach Abba Wuqaw, commander of the Imperial Bodyguard
- First he was sentenced to death, but later changed to life imprisonment
- Teferi provoking Zewditu to accusing and capturing Abba Wuqaw of disturbing the Palace
- The Mahal Sefari pressed Zewditu to crown Teferi as Negus of Ethiopia
- In October 1928 Zewditu crowned Teferi as Negus or King of Ethiopia, heir to the throne
8. The last opponent to Ras Teferi was the ex- husband of empress Zewditu, Ras Gugsa Wolle
The major conflict between Teferi and Gugsa were: -
- Divorce of Zewditu and Gugsa in 1917 is said to have been effected by Shoan Mekwanints at time of her coronation
- Gugsa made as govt of Begemidir in 1918 and remained hostile to Teferi due to far away from his wife
- Tax from Mettema that was under the jurisdiction on Gugsa
- Teferi wanted to centralized, but Gugsa refused and began controlled himself
- Gugsa refused to suppression of the rebellion of the Raya and Azebo Oromo (Southern Tigray and Northern Wollo), who wanted to have local autonomy in administration
-On 31 March 1930, the Imperial Army under the new Minister of war, Ras Mulgeta Yigezu, defeated and killed Gugsa at battle of Anchem, near the Lasta- Begemidir border
- At battle of Anchem, the first aircraft of Ethiopia were engaged in dropping bombs and leaflets (sheet of paper)
- Two day latter, Zewditu died reportedly of diabetes and shattered by death her husband Gugsa
- Teferi was crowned Emperor Haile Sellassie I of Ethiopia on November 1930
The Emergence of the Abolitionist State (1930-1935)
√ Haile Sellassie was formed abolitionist, autocratic and centralized Unitary State
√ Steps that Haile Sellassie to enabled to gained absolutism
1. In 1931, he issued the first written constitution for Ethiopia
- Building the absolute power of the emperor and guaranteeing the right to succession to his descendants
- He had the right of divine power to rule as well as the right to issue laws for his people by his own will
He established Bicameral Parliament having Senate and Chamber of Deputies
- Senate was an upper chamber of nobles, appointed by the emperor
- Chamber of Deputies, elected by local nobles among local feudal land Lords
2. Decreasing the power of regional lords by completed the process of building centralized administration
- Haile Sellassie removed Abba Jobir Abba Jiffar of Jimma in 1932 and Ras Hailu Tekle Hayimanot of Gojjam in 1933
- The autonomous province of Wollo was ended and given to his eldest son, Asfa Wossen, after battle of Segele
- Similarly, the autonomy of Begemidir came ended under the appointment of Haile Sellassie, Ras Kasa
- Only Tigray remained intact, but latter winning by marriage with Shoan
3. A fiscal centralization mainly in Customs Administration
- He eliminated old provincial Kellas (Customs Posts), replaced by a few recognized and controlled external trade
4. Finally the emerging absolutist gave due attention to the Modernization of his army
- In 1930 Belgian officers were training the Imperial Bodyguard consisting of three battalions of infantry
- In 1934 the first officer training school of army at Holeta Ganat by recruiting staff from Swedish officers
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