Ethiopian exceptionalism

• Ethiopia suffered only 5 years of military occupation
• Ethiopia had a brief occupation from Italy during WW2 by Mussolini but seen as a blemish as it was a failed invasion
• Ethiopia is referred to as an old Christian Country
• 19th century had Christian and catholic missionaries coming to Ethiopia
• Ethiopia had biblical connections and Christianity links to European countries
• 3 categories on how Ethiopia managed to maintain independence

  • Diplomatic, political and military considerations on the European side
  • Actual political and military conditions in Ethiopia
  • The serious and repeated miscalculations of ethiopia's strength by its invaders and protectors
• Diplomatic, political and military considerations on the European side

  Was in favour of Ethiopia side as Italy was a newly united country
• Actual political and military conditions in Ethiopia


  The strong centralised government
• The serious and repeated miscalculations of ethiopia's strength by its invaders and protectors

  Geography worked in ethiopias favour as had a lot of resources and assumptions of weak country
• TEODROS 2ND


  • Made a unification reform which limited powers of local chiefs and centralised the admin and control over the army
  • Responded favourably to euro approach but would not accept any kind of foreign protection
  • Conflict with Great Britain
• Teodros started the struggle to make Ethiopia diplomatically recognised abroad
• YOHANNIS IV


  • Dealt with the treat of ADWA 1884/ Hewett treaty
  • Did not care to establish a national state or a centralised government
  • Had issues with another ruler in another part of Ethiopia called menilek
• MENILEK


  • Was no man to accept any limitations on his sovereignty
  • Battle of Adwa and was known as an Italian disaster and Ethiopia won
  • European powers accepted the fact that menilek was the ruler of the sovereign state and had to be dealt with as such in all affairs concerning his country
• Ethiopia was not treated differently from any other African territories and was not taken seriously for 30 years
• The underestimation of their strength gave her favour of always entering negotiations stronger than opponents and each victory helped the unification
• The survival was due to the actual growth of political stability in the country and qualities of its rulers and soldiers
• Ethiopia survived 2 conflicts during coloninisation era - British in 1868 and Italians 1888
• Menilek signed a treaty with itailians but when the treaty was broken the Italians moved into invade Ethiopia in 1896 at the battle of adwa but lost dramatically
• Some key points


  • Consider the dynamic nature of ancient Ethiopian society and culture
  • Ethiopian political reform during the 19th century (role of emperors: Yohannes IV, Tewodros and Menelik II)
  • The role of diplomacy and military improvements
  • Apparent British disinterest in colonising Ethiopia
  • The status of Italy as an imperial power
  • The Battle of Adwa (1896) as a decisive turning point
• Emperor Tewodros II

  Reigned from 1855-1868
• Reforms implemented by Tewodros II and Menelik II

  • Centralization of power
  • Modernization of the military
  • Administrative changes
  • Infrastructure development
• Centralization of power under Tewodros II

  1. Sought to weaken the authority of regional nobles

  2. Aimed to establish a more unified Ethiopian state

  3. Curbed the autonomy of regional rulers

  4. Reduced the power of feudal lords
• Military reforms under Tewodros II

  1. Modernized the Ethiopian army

  2. Introduced firearms

  3. Built a standing army

  4. Departed from the traditional system of feudal lords providing troops
• Military reforms under Menelik II


  1. Expanded and reorganized the military

  2. Incorporated modern weaponry

  3. Employed European military advisors

  4. Implemented training techniques
• Administrative reforms under Menelik II

  1. Established a bureaucracy and governmental departments

  2. Improved governance and increased efficiency

  3. Centralized power in the imperial court

  4. Expanded the authority of the central government over regional territories
• Infrastructure development under Menelik II

  1. Constructed roads

  2. Built bridges

  3. Installed telegraph lines

  4. Developed railways
• Expansion and consolidation under Menelik II

  1. Conducted successful military campaigns

  2. Expanded the Ethiopian empire

  3. Consolidated control over various regions
• These reforms aimed to strengthen the Ethiopian empire
• The reforms contributed to Ethiopia's ability to resist external threats, maintain internal stability, and assert itself as an independent nation during a period of intense European colonization in Africa
• Treaty of Friendship and Commerce (1844)


  Established diplomatic relations and provided Ethiopia with diplomatic recognition
• Treaty of Wuchale (1889)


  Signed between Emperor Menelik II and Italy, but there were discrepancies in the Amharic and Italian versions leading to a dispute
• The Battle of Adwa in 1896 where Ethiopian forces decisively defeated Italy and safeguarded their independence
• The Battle of Adwa established Ethiopia as the only African country to resist colonization and elevated its international standing as a symbol of African resistance to imperialism
• League of Nations Membership (1923)

  Allowed Ethiopia to actively participate in international diplomacy and advocate for its interests on a global stage
• When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Emperor Haile Selassie embarked on a diplomatic campaign to garner international support
• Ethiopian diplomacy during this period aimed to secure international recognition, protect its independence, and advocate for the rights of African nations
• The diplomatic engagements highlighted Ethiopia's rich history, culture, and resilience, further enhancing its international standing
• Reasons for British disinterest in colonizing Ethiopia

  • Geopolitical considerations
  • Balance of power
  • Ethiopian resistance and military strength
  • International repercussions
  • Diplomatic relations
• The British disinterest in colonizing Ethiopia allowed it to maintain its independence and contributed significantly to its survival as the only African country to avoid full colonization during the era of European imperialism