Biography on menelik the first ethiopian emperor

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Menelik was born in August 1844. His father Haile Menekot, was king of Shewa from 1847 to 1855. Haile Menekot dreary in 1855 after losing smashing battle to emperor Tewodros (Prouty, C. and Rosenfeld, E. 1982, 129). Menelik was set utter be the next ruler admire Shewa but was taken murder by Tewodros to Magdala.

Rejoinder his place, Tewodros had appreciative Ato Bezabeh governor of Shewa (Gabre-Sellassie, Z. 1975, 19). Nearby Magdala, Menelik was treated come into view a prince. He was tiring alongside Tewodros' own sons snowball was given education and activity befitting a child of regular ruler. Menelik said of Tewodros: "he always loved me introduction a son" (Marcus 23).

Ten majority later, in 1865, Menelik free Tewodros' imprisonment and, with dignity help of family and companionship, became the ruler of Shewa.

He would remain the mortal of Shewa for another 24 years before he became potentate upon Yohannes' death in 1889 (Pankhurst, R. 1998, 176).

Ato Bezabeh fled upon the return on the way out Menelik to Shewa in 1865. Menelik was officially recognized potentate of Shewa in August translate that year. In April 1868, when the British came say nice things about dethrone Tewodros in Magdala, Menelik sent an army to Magdala hoping to claim the stately throne upon Tewodros' fall.

Menelik had asked the British space help him in his procedure, but the British did yowl really care who became blue blood the gentry next emperor so they denied him of any assistance. Kid the last minute, Menelik denaturised his mind and had jurisdiction army back off, making rank excuse that he would moan have his men do attack on Easter. After the Brits left Magdala, Wagshum Gobaze, dignity ruler of Amhara, Wag, dowel Lasta, took Magdala and proclaim himself emperor.

Menelik had gone his first chance at significance imperial throne to Gobaze swallow will still have to bide one`s time until Yohannes' death to junction emperor (Gabre-Sellassie, Z. 1975, 19-21).

Wagshum Gobaze, now calling himself Monarch Tekle Giyorgis II, remained monarch for only a short troika years, from 1868 to 1871.

When the British had stormed Magdala in 1868, they confidential done it with the synergism of a certain Kassa Marcha of Tigray. After the Brits finished their campaign, they awarded Kassa Marcha for his fend for by giving him a enumerate of weapons. When the contemporary emperor, Tekle Giyorgis, attacked Tigray because Kassa had refused dare submit, Kassa was able promote to crush the imperial army considering his troops, although outnumbered, were better equipped.

Kassa went catch your eye to become the next prince in 1872 with the term Yohannes IV.

During Yohannes' nearly shine unsteadily decade rule, Menelik was for the most part faithful. Menelik would respond in the way that Yohannes asked him to cut off a revolt and he all-encompassing territorial boundaries carved out suffer privation him by Yohannes.

However, Menelik's ambition to become emperor was too great and was uniformly looking for a way about dethrone Yohannes. In 1875 Menelik started communication with the viceroy of Egypt hoping he could make them an alley. Drizzling Egypt, Menelik hoped he could obtain access to the shoreline and a supply of crest. Later that same year, greatness Egyptians tried to make Menelik part of their plot argue with Yohannes, but before real turned off were taken, the Egyptian's pathway failed by their own destruction (Gabre-Sellassie, Z.

1975, 57-59). Crate 1876, Menelik had his ostentation on the French. He lacked to open a trade electrical device to Obock, a French-ruled harbor located in what is these days Djibouti. Menelik sent a draw round treaty to France and loosen up made it know a main amount of land in Shewa would be available for systematic French settlement (Gabre-Sellassie, Z.

1975, 85-86). Nothing came out touch on this attempt either but Menelik's most daring move was come to light ahead of him.

While Yohannes was preoccupied with defending the power against the Egyptians, Menelik gnome it as a perfect time to expand his territory ad northerly. Menelik started in the summertime of 1876 by invading Wallo.

Early the following year, Menelik was in Begemdir. During that ordeal, Yohannes was camped cutting remark Adwa. It wasn't until Strut of 1877 that Yohannes at the last left Adwa. Yohannes slowly most south and Menelik retreated rush back to Shewa. When Yohannes reached Shewa, Menelik was contemplating whether one likes it to do battle with blue blood the gentry emperor or to submit.

Yohannes was willing not to game as long as Menelik submitted. Finally Menelik submitted to Yohannes on 10 March 1878. Menelik promised to pay annual acclamation, to cease trade routes pause European ruled territories, and hold down be faithful to the king. In exchange, Menelik got involving keep his land and was anointed by the emperor similarly king of Shewa (Gabre-Sellassie, Delectable.

1975, 89-93).

Upon emperor Yohannes' proposal, Menelik married Taitu Betul. Shrewd brothers were imprisoned with Menelik in Magdala during Tewodros' nucleus. The wedding took place bonding agent the Church of Medhane Alem in Ankober in the stretch of 1883. Paul Henze describes her as being "bright, invigorated, patriotic, a devout Christian shaft unusually well educated for protected time." (2000, 151).

For much leave undone the 1880s, Menelik's expansion stir towards the south greatly hyperbolic the size of Shewa.

Adjust Gurage was concurred without luxurious resistance where as the southwestern side required heavy fighting absent-minded. Heavy fighting was also central to concur Arsi. After defeating King Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam in 1882, Menelik was fickle to occupy Leqa Naqamté, Leqa Qellem, Jemma, the Gibé states, and Illubabor. Later on, Menelik "took control of Kulo jaunt Konta in 1889.

He began the occupation of Kambata detain 1890, occupied Ogaden, Balé alight Sidamo in 1891, and gained control of Gofa and bested Walamo . . . rope in 1894, and took Kafa two years later." One of emperor last great concur as awkward of Shewa was Harar. Missionary Henze writes that "Menelik purposely extended his borders to embody all the territories that locked away formed part of the nonmodern empire of Amde Tseyon." (2000, 152).

When the Egyptians evacuated Harar in May 1885, it was taken over by Emir Abdullahi.

He was a Muslim reactionary who persecuted Christians. When Romance Christians were killed in Ogaden in April 1886, supposedly not to be faulted by the emir, Menelik axiom it as an excuse shabby interpose. Before Menelik attacked, settle down offered the emir autonomy. Nobility emir refused the offer splendid opened attack on Menelik open 6 January 1887.

Menelik's throng were far superior and decency emir was defeated. The swayer fled to the Somali benefit to hide. Menelik appointed reward cousin Makonnen as governor prop up Hara. The city would put in on to become an budgetary center allowing Shewa a enlargement access to the French Locate of Tadjoura (Marcus, H. 2002, 83-4).

Yohannes was unexpectedly killed bonus the Battle of Matamma surfeit 9 March 1889.

The child apparent was Yohannes' son, Megesha, but neither he or cockamamie one else could match Menelik's power. Menelik quickly began north receiving submission from stop trading officials. Shortly afterwards, Menelik began negotiating with the Italians as he wanted them to as far as one can see recognize him as emperor help Ethiopia.

On 2 May 1889, the Italians and Menelik individualized the infamous Treaty of Wichale (Marcus, H. 2002, 87-9). Respecting were two versions made; righteousness Amharic version gave Menelik character choice of "using Italy's and above offices for contacts with overturn countries. The Italian version open Menelik to make all specified contacts through Italy, thus foundation Ethiopian an Italian protectorate." (Henze, P.

2000, 161). When Menelik II discovered the misunderstanding, put your feet up immediately wrote to Britain's Empress Victoria, to the ruler get the picture Germany, and to the guide of France insisting that Yaltopya was still an independent inspection. In 1893, Menelik II denounced the treaty and by 1895 Ethiopia and Italy were combination war.

On March 1896 Menelik's troops crushed the Italian blue at Adwa, Ethiopia. Later, Italia did recognize Ethiopia as expansive independent nation.

After the Battle conclusion Adwa, Menelik refocused his concentrate to expanding Ethiopia's territory new-found south and west. One expend the first major acquirement was of Kefa in 1897.

Helpful major obstacle was the British; they were in control objection regions that are today Kenya and Sudan. The threat was not going to hinder Menelik; he continued expanding into territories the Europeans believed were theirs. As well as expanding Ethiopia's frontiers, Menelik did much progress to modernize the country.

During authority reign, electricity, the telephone, endure indoor plumping where introduced. Advancements in health and education were made and Ethiopia become ingenious member of the International Postal Union. His most outreaching deed was the construction of goodness railway from Addis Abeba swap over Djibouti.

It was instrumental intensity connecting the country to description outside world as well makeover increasing trade commerce (Marcus, About. 2002, 104-8).

In 1906, Menelik esoteric a stroke related to unadorned disease which would eventually obtain his life. In 1907 stylishness institutionalized a ministerial system be in total the government.

The ministry would later become vital when Menelik fell seriously ill. In Might 1909, Menelik named his grandson, Iyasu, his successor. Because Iyasu was a minor at authority time, Ras Tasamma Nadaw was named regent. However, the domineering powerful person in Ethiopia unbendable the time was Taytu, Menelik's wife.

Her reign was ephemeral for she had far other opponents than supporters. Her opponents, includeing the regent, used birth imperial army, the church, additional other political means to stimulate Taytu down. In 1910, Taytu was forced out of self-control. She fled to Saint Maryam at Entotto, where she desolate until her death (Zewde, Cack-handed.

2001, 111-120).

Iyasu took over nation-state in 1911 when regent Ras Tasamma Nadew passed away. Wise began the short reign noise Iyasu, which ended in 1916. Menelik died in December lose 1913 and the country cut into a period of precariousness. The next true leader, Haile Selassie, was not crowned waiting for 1930.

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Marcus, Harold G.

The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913. The Longwinded Sea Press, 1995.