Lesson 12: The 1974 Revolution
1. Video Lesson
2. Competencies
After successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- mention parts of the society which made major strikes from January to June 1974;
- narrate how the Derg gradually overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie I; and
- discuss the demand of the civilian groups when the Derg seized power.
3. Brainstorming Questions
- What were the causes of the 1974 revolution?
- Which sections of society went on strikes in February 1974?
- When did the revolution come to the capital?
- What were the measures taken by the government to pacify this nation-wide discontent?
4. Key Terminology and Concepts
- Military Dictatorship
Military dictatorship refers to a form of government where political power is concentrated in the hands of the military or military leaders. In such a system, the military exerts control over the state’s governance, often suspending democratic institutions, suppressing political dissent, and ruling through authoritarian means. This form of dictatorship is characterized by the dominance of military officials in political decision-making and governance, often justifying their rule through claims of national security or the need to restore order. Examples of military dictatorships include regimes where a military leader or a junta takes power through a coup d’état, ruling with limited regard for civilian authority and democratic processes.
5. Lesson Presentation
A. The Popular Upsurge of February to June 1974
In February 1974, various groups, including students, teachers, workers, and soldiers, began strikes and demonstrations that led to Emperor Haile Selassie’s deposition on September 12, 1974. The revolution started with a mutiny by the Fourth Brigade in Negele-Borena, where soldiers protested poor conditions and took their commanding officers hostage. This unrest spread to other military units, including the Second Division in Asmera, and fueled nationwide protests against rising fuel prices, educational reforms, and low wages. In Addis Ababa, protests intensified with strikes by teachers, taxi drivers, and students demanding better conditions and the suspension of the Sector Review educational policy. The military’s coordination through a committee, which later became the Derg, further destabilized the regime, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Aklilu Habte-Wold and his brief replacement by Endalkachew Mekonnen. Despite Endalkachew’s attempts at reform and consolidation of power, widespread demonstrations and strikes persisted, culminating in the formation of a High National Security Commission that failed to restore order.
B. The Formation of the Derg and the Deposition of the Emperor
In early June 1974, dissatisfaction among junior officers led to the formation of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, which was soon known as the Derg. By June 28, the Derg had organized approximately 120 members and began to dismantle the imperial system, arresting aristocrats, high-ranking military officers, and officials associated with Emperor Haile Selassie. The Derg forced out Prime Minister Endalkachew and replaced him with Lej Mikael Imru, announcing the motto “Ethiopia Tikdem” (Ethiopia First) and shifting power away from the emperor. They also nationalized the emperor’s assets and accused him of covering up the 1973-1974 Wello famine, leading to his deposition and imprisonment on September 12, 1974. The Derg’s proclamation suspended the 1955 Revised Constitution, dissolved Parliament, and established the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC), with General Aman Andom appointed as Head of State. Despite Aman’s popularity, he clashed with the Derg over its size, the Eritrean insurgency, and the fate of political prisoners, which led to his removal and execution on November 23, 1974, during a violent crackdown. After “Bloody Saturday,” Brigadier General Tafari Banti was appointed Chairman of the PMAC, but Major Mengistu Haile Mariam emerged as the dominant force in the Derg, consolidating his power as First Vice-Chairman.
