Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EMPEROR MENELIK
Menelik, King of Shoa since 1865, had long aspired to the imperial throne. Confined at
Maqdala for 10 years by Tewodros, he was yet reportedly much influenced by his captor,
and also dreamt of Ethiopia's unification and modernisation.
After his escape from Maqdala and his ascendancy in Shoa, Menelik concentrated on
consolidating his own power, and embarked on an aggressive, ruthless and sometimes bru-
tal campaign of expansion.
Relations with the Italians were at first good; Menelik had been seen as a potential ally
against Yohannes. On Yohannes' death, the Italians recognised Menelik's claim to the
throne and, in 1889, the Treaty of Wechale was signed. In exchange for granting Italy the
region that was later to become Eritrea, the Italians recognised Menelik's sovereignty and
gave him the right to import arms freely through Ethiopian ports.
However, a dispute over a discrepancy in the purportedly identical Amharic and Italian
texts - the infamous Article 17 - led to disagreement. According to the Italian version,
Ethiopia was obliged to approach other foreign powers through Italy, which essentially re-
duced Ethiopia to a lowly Italian protectorate. The Amharic version differed in its wording.
In the meantime, the Italians continued their expansion in their newly created colony of
Eritrea. Soon, they were spilling into territory well beyond the confines agreed to in both
treaties.
Despite the Italians' attempts to court Ti-
gray's local chiefs, the latter chose to assist
Menelik. Nevertheless, the Italians managed to
defeat Ras Mangasha and his Tigrayan forces
and occupied Mekele in 1895.
Provoked at last into marching north with his
forces, Menelik shocked the international world
by resoundingly defeating the Italians at Adwa
(see The Battle of Adwa, Click here ) . This battle numbered among the very few occasions
when a colonial power was defeated by a native force in Africa. Ethiopia stood out as the
only independent nation left in Africa.
Menelik then set his sights on modernisation. He abandoned the Shoan capital of
Ankober and soon founded the new capital, Addis Ababa. During his reign, electricity and
telephones were introduced; bridges, roads, schools and hospitals were built; and banks and
industrial enterprises were established.
The Emperor by Ryszard Kapuscinski offers bizarre
insights into Haile Selassie's imperial court through
interviews with servants and close associates of the
emperor. Some historians question its authenticity
though.
 
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