Emperor Menelik II (1889-1913)
The Battle of Adwa
When Emperor John IV died , there was a question as to who would be the new emperor. King Menelik of Shoa and Ras Mangasha of Tigre thought that they should rule Ethiopia. However, this was no great trouble to King Menelik with his as strong army , so Ras Mangasha was defeated but allowed to continue governor of Tigre. In March, 1889 King Menelik of Shoa was proclaimed Emperor Menelik II, King of Ethiopia.
The new emperor was the son of King Haile Malakot of Shoa. Both his father and grandfather had been rulers of Shoa. While king of Shoa Menelik had accomplished much as a courageous general, a wise leader, and an able administrator. He had already added many of the Galla kingdoms in southern Ethiopia to shoa and in 1887 Harar was taken. Using modern guns bought from traders, he built a strong army with which he added several southern and western Ethiopia Shoa and in 1887 Hara was taken. Using modern guns bought from traders, he built a strong army with which he added several southern and western areas to Shoa and the Northern Provinces of Ethiopia. Parts of what are now kaffa, Wallega, Illubabor, Wallamo, Kambata, Arussi, Sidamo, and Gamu-Gofa became parts of the Empire of Ethiopia. This building of his empire continued into the early years of the 20th Century. Truly emperor Menelik II was the father of the Empire of Ethiopia.
The emperor knew that to have his conquests accepted , he would have to have the agreement of the foreign countries who had colonies around Ethiopia. When they saw Menelik had taken these areas, they usually agreed by treaty to his conquests.
When Menelik II became emperor in 1889 his first act in foreign affairs was to make a treaty with Italy. The Treaty of Ucciali (Wichale)was signed on May 2,1889. The Italian text of the treaty said that Ethiopia ‘’consents to use ‘’the Italian government for conducting its foreign affairs. The Amharic text said that Ethiopia "may use’’ the Italian government for conducting its foreign affairs. The Italians said Ethiopia was an Italian Protectorate . Emperor Menelik II objected and said Ethiopia is free to do as she wishes in foreign affairs.’’Ras Makonnen visits aid, Rome where he was given some 28 cannons and 38,000 rifles by the Italian government . Italy now thought that Ethiopia was under her control.
Emperor Menelik II was far too wise to allow Italy to control Ethiopia .He received officials from France and Russia. The Italians were angry and insisted that by the Treaty of Ucciali they were the only country to advise Ethiopiain foreign affairs. Menelik continued to use the advice of other countries as he wished. European interest in taking colonies around Ethiopia become stronger. The British had taken a part of Somalia and called it British Somali land. The Italians added more land in Somalia and Eritrea. In 1895 the Italians decided to invade Ethiopia by way of Eritrea to make Ethiopia its protectorate.Menelik asked the people of way of Eritrea to make Ethiopia its protectorate . Menelik asked the people of Ethiopia to help him fight the Italians. People came from many parts of the empire to fight for their country. Most of the important kings, rases, and chiefs came bringing soldiers with them. Menelik’s Shoan Army, Ras Makonnen and his Harar troops, Ras Mangasha and his men of Tigre, Begemeder and Gojjam soldiers, Galla Cavalry, and others joined together to fight the foreigners. This army was trained and equipped with the cannons and guns Ras Makonnen and his Harar troops, Ras Mangasha and his men of Tigre, Begemeder and Gojjam soldiers, Galla Cavalry, and others joined together to fight the foreigners. This army was trained and equipped with the cannons and guns Ras Makonnen had previously brought back from Italy along with other arms bought from Europe.
The Battle of Adwa
Menelik moved his army north where his generals won small battles at Amba alage and Makale. The Italians decided to make a surprise attack on Adwa, but they made four serious mistakes: (1) they didn’t know Menelik has such a strong army’ (2) they did not think that Menelik could bring his army to Tigre so rapidly; (3) they thought that many of the people of Ethiopia would not help their king; (4) they thought that part of Menelik’s army would go to near-by Axum to attend church on Sunday.
The Italians, led by Baratieri, attacked Adwa with some 20,000 men on Sunday March 1st, 1896. Menelik’s army of 80-100,000 men was ready and fought well. The Italians were confused by poor maps, did not know the country well, and were hindered by a rain storm. In a full day of heavy fighting, the Ethiopians defeated the Italians. It was a great disaster for the Italian army for about 6,000 men were killed. The Italian army fled toward Eritrea, and, if Menelik had not called back his troops for the night, they might have pursued the Italian army and killed many more of them.
The Italian defeat at the Battle of Adwa was one of the greatest victories in the history of Ethiopia. Adwa Became a long remembered symbol of the love of freedom of the people of Ethiopia. The Italians signed a peace treaty which finished the Treaty of Ucciali, established the boundary of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and recognized that Ethiopia was a sovereign state.
The great victory at Adwa put Ethiopia on the map. Now the countries of Europe understood that here was an African country that could not be easily colonized. Representatives from many countries came to sign business and diplomatic treaties with King Menelik.
In 1986 the king built a new capital at Finfini which he named Addis Ababa. The location was chosen partly to please his wife who found that the hot springs and lower altitude of Addis Ababa were good for their health. Before this Menelik has his capital at Ankober and Entoto. Slowly Addis Ababa became a city of houses, palaces, and government offices. Among the first to arrive in Addis Ababa after the Battle of Adua were the French, followed by the British, Italians, Turks, Russians, and others. For 10 years the French, Italians, and British fought diplomatic battles over who would build the railroad from Djibouti to Addis Ababa. The French had already started it but ran out of money. The British wanted to finish it, but at last the French were given permission to build it. The first train arrived in Addis Ababa in 1918 after Menelik died.
While many nations came to Addis Ababa to make diplomatic and business treaties, Menelik continued to improve his country. The 10 years after the Battle of Adwa from 1896-1906 were period of growth in the country. Many modern inventions reached the country, such as electric lights, the telephone, telegraph, vaccinations, a postal system, and stamps. The nation’s first long distance telephone line was constructed in 1894 between Addis Ababa and Harar. An early attempt to publish a newspaper was the newsheet called "common Sense". In 1905 King Menelik built the Menelik II School in Addis Ababa, the first government school in the country. In 1905 the Bank of Abyssinia was started with the help of Egypt, and in 1909 the first coins of modern time were issued. The king tried to stop slavery. Streets in Addis Ababa were improved and roads started outside the capital city. When Addis Ababa ran short of wood, the eucalyptus tree was brought from Australia.
In administration King Menelik accomplished much. He modernized his government by setting up ministries and appointing advisors. He asked foreigners to come to Ethiopia to advise him, and he used their knowledge to improve the country. The French helped by sending scientific expeditions into the provinces in order to learn more about the country. A man from Switzerland, named Ilg, was one of King Menelik’s best advisors. Business contracts were given to foreigners, and soon Addis Ababa became a great trading centre. New areas were added to the empire and the boundaries between Ethiopia and other countries were established. King Menelik knew that he had to stop the rases and chiefs from ruling without his authority. He did this and tried to have better government in the provinces. He authority. He did this and tried to have better government in the provinces. He gave Ethiopia a better system of transportation, and some modern communications.
In foreign affairs Emperor Menelik also gave his country guidance. After the Battle of Adua foreign countries were interested in Ethiopia, so Addis Ababa soon had many embassies. In 1902 Ras Makonnen visited Europe and England, and the following year the first American diplomatic mission arrived in Addis Ababa. In 1904 Ethiopia joined the British to stop the Mad Mullah who was causing trouble in Somalia. During these years France, Italy and Great Britain had been trying to control Ethiopia. In 1906 these 3 countries signed the Tripartite Treaty. This treaty said that Ethiopia was independent, but if troubles came, these countries would come to Ethiopia’s aid. Great Britain would have influence in the Nile River Basin and around lake Tana. France would have influence along the railroad from Djibouti to Addis Ababa. Italy would have influence between these two from Eritrea to Addis Ababa and Somaliland. This treaty was signed without asking King Menelik. When he heard about it, he was very angry and refused to accept these terms.
In 1906 things did not go well for Ethiopia. Menelik was sick, and the two men who might have become the next emperor-Ras Makonnen of Harar and Ras Mangasha of Tigre-died. The Germans began to be strong in Ethiopia, and the Tripartite Treaty was signed. Menelik’s health became worse, and in 1907 he appointed several leading men to help him rule as a Council of Ministers. In June 1908 he called all the rases together and said that his grandson, Lij Yasu, would be emperor when he died. In the fall of 1908 Menelik has a bad sickness and couldn’t talk or move.
Because Lij Yasu was only 12 and could not rule Ethiopia wisely, Ras Tesemma was made regent. The other rases all tried to gain power. Empress Taitu, Menelik'’ wife, tried to take authority. She wanted Zauditu, Maneliks daughter from another wife, to be made ruler. Menelik was still living but was too sick to rule, so each of the other groups fought for power. In 1911 ras Tesemma died and the confusion increased. Finally on December 12, 1913, king Menelik died and Ethiopia lost one of her greatest emperors.
Lij Yasu (1913-1916)
The death of King Menelik II only added to the confusion in Ethiopia. Lij Yasu was emperor but was not like his grandfather. He did not rule well, and even before Menelik died, he tried to send out some of the king’s advisors. Taitu again tried to have Zauditu made empress. The rases continued to fight for power. The foreign countries tried to influence Ethiopia. The Germans and Turks became stronger, so Lij Yasu began to follow their ideas. Germany and Turkey were getting ready for World War I and wanted Ethiopia to help them. The British, French and Italians were afraid that Lij Yasu would join Germany and Turkey, so they moved troops to Berbera, Massawa, and Djibouti. Lij Yasu’s rule ended in 1916.
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