1. Video Lesson

2. Competencies

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• discuss the power struggle waged by the Ethiopian ruling elites from 1906 to the period of Italian invasion of Ethiopia;
• identify the strengths and weaknesses of Lij Iyasu; and
• appreciate the merits of political dynamics prior to Italy’s second aggression.

3. Brainstorming Questions

• Discuss the power struggle that took place to depose Lij Eyasu

4. Key Terminology and Concepts

5. Lesson Presentation

A. The Problem of Succession & Lij Iyasu

In 1906, a pivotal year for Emperor Menelik II, he suffered a stroke that would eventually lead to his death in 1913, and the death of his likely successor, Ras Mekonnen, intensified concerns over succession, prompting Britain, France, and Italy to sign the Tripartite Treaty to protect their interests in the Horn of Africa amid potential instability in Ethiopia. Despite his declining health, Emperor Menelik II sought to prevent political instability after his death by establishing Ethiopia’s first Council of Ministers in October 1907 and officially designating his 12-year-old grandson, Lej Iyasu, as his successor in May 1909, with Ras Tesema Nadew appointed as regent. Etege Taytu, the influential wife of Emperor Menelik, opposed the designation of Lej Iyasu as the successor and used strategic marriage alliances, including marrying her nephew Ras Gugsa to Menelik’s daughter Zewditu, to bolster her political power. Despite Lej Iyasu’s official succession in 1909, Taytu’s continued dominance led to significant opposition from the Shewan nobility, including Ras Bitwoded Tesema Nadew and Fitawrari Habte Giorgis Dinegde, culminating in a 1910 coup that forced Taytu into retirement, where she remained until her death in 1918.

He (Lij Iyasu) had introduced significant social and economic reforms.

• Tried to give Ethiopian Muslims equal status by integrating them into his administrative hierarchy.
• Gave financial support for the establishment of mosques and, later, established marriage alliances with local Muslim notables.
• Introduced a system of auditing government property .
• Formed a municipal police force known as Terenbule.
• Established a separate Department of Education.
• Took measures against the Quragngna system, whereby the accused and the accuser were chained together until justice was served.
• Tried to do away with the unfair traditional practice of thief detection, called Leba Shay.

The downfall of Lej Iyasu was primarily caused by his controversial religious policy, which aimed to balance the interests of both Christians and Muslims but was exploited by adversaries to discredit him. His perceived immorality, frequent absences from the capital, favoritism towards relatives, and controversial appointments alienated the Shewan nobility and other internal factions. Additionally, his pro-German and pro-Turkish stance during World War I antagonized the colonial powers of Britain, France, and Italy, leading to their intervention and alliance with his domestic opponents to depose him. While Lej Iyasu was on his usual tour of the Ogden, his opponents gathered in Addis Ababa and persuaded Abune Mathewos to excommunicate him. Both the Abune and the Echege endorsed the coup, leading to Iyasu’s deposition on September 27, 1916. Zewditu Menilek was declared Empress, and Dejach Teferi Mekonnen was appointed Ras and heir to the throne. Negus Mikael, Iyasu’s father, tried to reverse the situation by leading an army from Dessie to Shewa. Despite an initial victory at Tora Mesk, Negus Mikael’s forces were ultimately defeated and he was captured at the decisive and bloody Battle of Segele on October 27, 1916. Iyasu remained a fugitive until his capture in Tigray in 1921, was held by Ras Kassa Hailu, and escaped in 1932 with Ras Hailu of Gojjam’s help. He was recaptured and imprisoned in Garamuleta, Hararghe, where he remained until his death in 1936.

B. The Diarchy (1916-1930)

From 1916 to 1930, Zewditu and Teferi theoretically ruled together. Practically, however, Teferi’s power grew from year to year while Zewditu became increasingly powerless and passive. Teferi was more ambitious, progressive, enlightened and determined than Zewditu who was very popular amongst the traditionalists, who were headed by Fitawrari Habte Giorgis Dinegde. In 1918, Ras Teferi removed all the old ministers
except Fitawrari Habte Giorgis. Nature seemed in favour of Teferi. In 1926, the major obstacles to his growing power, Abune Matewos and Fitawrari Habte Giorgis passed away. In 1928, Teferi outmaneuvered Dejach Balcha Safo, who had rebelled against Teferi supporting Zewditu, and took over Balcha’s rich province of Sidamo.

In that same year, Dejach Aba Weqaw also rebelled against Teferi, but he was imprisoned. Finally,the Mehal Sefari pressed Zewditu to crown Teferi as king. Accordingly, in October 1928, Zewditu crowned Teferi Negus. Ras Teferi became king of Ethiopia and heir to the throne. The last formidable foe to Negus Teferi was the husband of Zewditu, Ras Gugsa Wole. It is said that Ras Teferi had a key role in the separation of Zewditu from her husband, Ras Gugsa. The disagreement between Teferi and Gugsa led to the battle of Anchim on 31 March 1930. In this battle, where aircraft was used for the first time in Ethiopia for warfare, Ras Gugsa was defeated and killed. Two days later, Zewditu died, and Negus Teferi assumed the throne as Emperor Haile Selassie I.

Ras Teferi and his supporters had the appreciation and support of European legations. Europeans saw in the rise of Teferi a bright prospect for capitalist investment in Ethiopia. Teferi also enjoyed the support and sympathy of foreign powers, particularly after his European tour of 1924. He also enjoyed almost the full support of the then Ethiopian intellectuals.

C. The Emergence of Autocracy (1930–1955)

Immediately after his coronation, Haile Selassie began to lay the groundwork for an absolutist state in Ethiopia. His first step was the promulgation of the 1931 constitution. The 1931 Constitution helped Emperor Haile Selassie to strengthen further his power by removing hereditary rulers. In 1932, the last hereditary ruler of Gojjam, Ras Hailu, was removed and imprisoned for helping Lej Iyasu to escape from his prison in Fiche. The following year, the kingdom of Jimma came under complete central government control. In the military sphere too, in 1930, the Imperial Bodyguard was established with the help of Belgian advisors. In 1934, the Holeta Military Academy was set up. These developments were interrupted by the Italian Fascist Invasion of 1935.