Introduction to the Module

This teaching material is prepared for a history course given to Students of Grade Twelve. The purpose is to help students understand a history of Ethiopia and the horn from modern times to 1990s as a base for shaping and bettering the future. The module generally focuses on major topics in the history of Ethiopia including social, cultural, economic, and political developments and their interrelations thereof. The contents of the module consider the chronology and thematic relations of events in time and space.

The module is divided into four units each of which has its own specific objectives. The first unit discusses the main historical developments in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa from 1855 to 1941. This unit includes long-distance trade and people’s interaction in the 19th century, power rivalry and consolidating central government, 1855–1913. The shift of the political center from the north to Shewa, the territorial expansion, external relations, challenges and threats, and the victory of Adwa are also issues to be treated in this unit. In addition, the religious doctrinal controversies within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the birth of Eritrea as an Italian colony, he birth of Djibouti as a French colony, the power struggles among the ruling elite, 1906–1936, Italian aggression on Ethiopia and the patriotic resistance will be addressed in this Unit.

Based on these historical backgrounds the second unit discuss about the Re-establishment of the Imperial Rule, external influence, and the territorial issues of the Ogaden and Eritrea, the socio-economic conditions from 1941 to the 1974 Revolution, the role of the agricultural sector, the different land tenure systems, the issue of land reform, and the role of trade and industry in the national economy, you will learn about the Emperor’s absolutist state and decades of various forms of oppositions which eventually led to the down fall of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974, the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution and the coming to power of the Derge, the various socio-economic and political measures taken by the military regime after it had asserted its authority through bloody measures, the internal and external factors for the decline and downfall of the Derge regime.

Then the third unit discuss about the important political concerns of the transitional period, including the preparation and approval of the FDRE constitution, developments in Ethiopia following the 1995 constitution, socio-economic issues in Ethiopia, and worldwide issues. Lastly this module Ethiopia’s indigenous knowledge systems and historical heritage. The definition and unique characteristic features of indigenous knowledge, as well as Ethiopia’s indigenous knowledge systems, will be dealt with in detail.

Key Terminology and Concepts

Module Objectives

After the successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Identify Ethiopia’s knowledge systems of knowledge and practice, developed and accumulated over generations;
• Examine the different types of indigenous knowledge;
• Evaluate the role of indigenous knowledge for development;
• Analyze the controversial articles of the 1995 FDRE Constitution;
• Describe the major socio- Economic and political developments since 1991;
• Appreciate the positive aspects of the post-1995 FDRE Constitution
• State the reaction of the emperor to British ascendancy in the immediate years of the post-liberation period;
• Discuss the British plan to partition Ethiopia;
• Describe the demands of the Eritreans in the 1940s;
• Explain the suggestions of the UN Commission on the fate of Eritrea; and
• Discuss the bases of Ethio-American partnership.
• Analyze the revival and consolidation of the central authorities and the unification of the Ethiopian State;
• Explain the great struggle and survival of Ethiopia’s independence;
• Appreciate the Ethiopian people’s sacrifices for the causes of independence and sovereignty

Activities in this Module

This module is comprised of knowledge, values and skills, and aims to prepare students for active, responsible participation. It extends learning beyond the curriculum and classroom to all activities inside and outside school. In addition, it is highly dependent on interactive teaching, which requires discussion, debate and the creation of many opportunities for students to participate effectively.

Module Contents

UNIT 5: Social, Economic and Political Developments in Ethiopia, Mid, 19th C. to 1941

• Long Distance Trade and Peoples’ Interaction in Ethiopia in the 19th Century
• Power Rivalry and Consolidating Central Government, 1855-1913
• Territorial Expansion and the Incorporation of Kingdoms
• External Relations, Challenges and threats
• The Victory of Adwa
• Power Struggle among Ruling Elites, 1906-1935
• Italian Aggression and the Patriotic Resistance: Causes and Courses of the War

Unit 6: Ethiopia: Internal Developments and External Influences from 1941 to 1991

• The Restoration of the Imperial Rule and External Influences
• Socio-economic Conditions and Social Organizations
• Consolidation of Autocracy and Oppositions to the Monarch
• The 1974 Revolution: The Downfall of the Emperor and the Rise of the Derg
• Socio-economic and Political Reforms of the Military Regime
• The Decline and Downfall of the Derg Regime: Internal and External threats

Unit 7: Post 1991 Developments in Ethiopia

• The Transitional Government of Ethiopia
• Ethiopia after the 1995 Constitution
• Socio-Economic Issues
• The Role of Ethiopia in Peace Keeping (Liberia, Rwanda, Sudan and Somalia)

Unit 8: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritages of Ethiopia

• Indigenous Knowledge: Definition and Unique Characteristic Features
• Indigenous knowledge and Development

Module Assessment Method

• Quizzes, Tests and assignments
• Mid-term exam
• Final exam

Required Text Book and Materials

• History Grade 12 Student Text Book Based on New Curriculum
• Extreme History for Grade 11-12
• Alpha History for Grade 11-12
• Bahru Zewde,  A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991, Ohio University Press, Second Edition,2002.

Instructor Information

Name: Mengistu Nega Mitiku

: mnmengistu87@gmail.com

Phone: +251934459494

:+251967787086