Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1913-16
Emperor Menelik dies and Lij Iyasu takes over the reins of power before being de-
posed and succeeded by Menelik's daughter, Zewditu, who rules through a regent, Ras
Tafari Makonnen.
1915
Thanks to the shoe-making skills of two engineers the Djibouti-Addis Ababa rail line
is completed, expanding Ethiopian trade and ushering in the rapid development of Ad-
dis Ababa.
1930
After the death of Zewditu and years of careful posturing, Ras Tafari is crowned as
Emperor Haile Selassie and dubbed the Chosen One of God.
1931
Ethiopia gets its first written constitution, which grants Emperor Haile Selassie almost
total power; his body is even declared sacred.
1935
Italy invades Ethiopia; illegal use of mustard gas and repeated bombing of civilian tar-
gets, including Red Cross hospitals, kills 275,000 Ethiopians; Italy loses 4350 men.
1936
In 1936 the Italians capture Addis and Selassie flees the country. Mussolini tri-
umphantly declares: 'Ethiopia is Italian'. The King of Italy is made Emperor of
Ethiopia.
1936
In June Haile Selassie makes a plea to the League of Nations asking for help, but the
league lifts sanctions against Italy.
1937
