Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1855
Kassa Haylu outsteals, outwits and outmanoeuvres his rivals to become Emperor Te-
wodros; he unites a feuding Ethiopia and embarks on ambitious modernisation pro-
grams.
1855-72
Tewodros builds numerous roads, establishes an army and promotes Amharic over
Ge'ez as the language of everyday use. He also makes the mistake of imprisoning a
group of Britons attending his court.
1872-76
After helping the British dispose of Tewodros, Kassa Mercha wins the battle of succes-
sion with Emperor Tekla Giorgis and rises as Emperor Yohannes.
1875-76
Egyptian forces attempt to invade the country, but Emperor Yohannes puts up a good
fight and ends their ambitions.
1888
Cattle imported by the Italians introduces a rinderpest epidemic. In combination with a
severe drought and an increase in the locust population, a famine develops that was to
last four years.
1889
Yohannes' successor, Emperor Menelik, signs a friendship treaty with Italy and grants
the region that is now Eritrea to Italy.
1889
Addis Ababa, the New Flower, is founded and made capital of Ethiopia.
1896
Emperor Menelik stuns the world by thrashing the Italian army in the Battle of Adwa.
The 1889 Friendship Treaty is annulled and Italy recognises Ethiopian independence
but hangs onto Eritrea.
