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An Ethiopian History Overview
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Ethiopia Joins League of Nations
Haile Sellasie (then called by his birth name, ‘Tafari Makonnen’) facilitated Ethiopia’s entry into the League of Nations. This proved to be a vital diplomatic tool for Ethiopia, who in later years was able to use their seat in the League to secure UK backing against an Italian occupation. Pictured is Abyssinia’s (Ethiopia) delegation to Geneva. http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/nt/db.cgi?db=ig&do=search_results&details=2&ID=684&ID-opt== -
Italy Invades, Haile Selassie Exiled
The League of Nations’ security promises failed and Ethiopia fell to Italian occupation under Fascist Mussolini. Emperor Selassie went into exile in London. This occupation continued for 5 years, and the League fully betrayed Ethiopia, in a sense handing it over to Italy. Interestingly, only the Soviet Union voted against Italy’s annexation of Ethiopia. Pictured is Emperor Haile Selassie before the League. http://www.dcstamps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/EAF-Ethiopia-Ita-Occ-Map.jpg -
Italy Defeated
Ethiopian and Allied forces (including British) advanced against the Italian occupation and defeated it, placing Emperor Haile Selassie back on the throne in Addis Ababa. This was a strategic win for the Allied powers against the Axis, of which Italy was a member. Two years later, the Italian colony of Eritrea (formerly part of Ethiopia) was annexed by Ethiopia. http://writingdisorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ehtiopiaSelassieportrait.jpg -
Ethiopia adopts new constitution
Haile Selassie introduced a revised constitution which was heavily influenced by Ethiopia’s relationship with the United States. Though not an exact copy of the US constitution, it bore some similarities and was certainly a win for the democratic agenda of the United States. In this first decade of the Cold War between Russia and the US, Ethiopia seems to be trending towards democracy. http://www.thenewafrica.info/sitemanager/files/media/2014/05/Bildschirmfoto-2014-05-25-um-10.05.22-642x450. -
Somalia's independence, Communist foothold
Somalia gains independence and in 1963 stimulates a region of Ethiopia (Ogaden) containing Somali nationalists to rebel. Somalia forms military alliance with USSR and Ethiopia seeks military assistance from US. Growing movement of Ethiopian students identify with Marxism, consider Emperor a tool of US imperialism. The global power struggle between communism and western capitalism fleshes out in the Horn of Africa. http://mogadishuman.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/the-ogaden.jpg?w=309&h=206 -
First attempt at military coup
A growing sense of dissatisfaction with the growth of the country and the overreaching power of the Emperor led the Ethiopian military to attempt a coup while the Emperor was away. The coup was unsuccessful and Haile Selassie attempted to appease the dissatisfied populous by reorganizing the government. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWSraKrXAAEZJl9.png -
Coup d’état, Socialist Ethiopia
By the early 1970’s, the growing Ethiopian Marxist movement called the ‘Derg’ received support from the Soviet Union. This group, led by Mengistu Hailemariam, executed a successful coup d’état, overthrowing Emperor Haile Selassie. December 20 saw the official declaration of socialism by the new government. Pictured is Mengistu sitting in Haile Selassie’s throne in Addis Ababa after he assumed power. https://arefe.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/mengistu-hailemariam.jpg -
Ethiopia and Somalia Face off, Communism strengthened
Tables turned between Ethiopia and Somalia when the Soviet Union identified Somalia as the aggressor and diverts arms supplies to Ethiopia. Somalia withdraws from Ogaden the next year. The Derg kills over 100,000 Ethiopians. Fidel Castro (pictured) becomes advisor and ally of Mengistu’s. Communism finds a close ally in Ethiopia. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbr-oXqaF1Q/U0y8Dxsy5DI/AAAAAAAAIQM/5P_W1ciD0Kw/s1600/parade1977.jpg -
PDRE Formed, 3rd Constitution Drafted
The third constitution of Ethiopia went into effect and the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) was inaugurated. The Derg was formally abolished and its surviving members along with their new Workers’ Party of Ethiopia ruled the government, with Mengistu remaining as its President. Contrary to the constitution of 1955, this draft bore many similarities to the 1977 Soviet Constitution. https://goo.gl/yTIign -
Mengistu Flees, Communism Defeated
Several famines, droughts and insurrections brought about the ultimate collapse of the PDRE. Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe and a transitional government was established. These events took place in the same year that the Soviet Union fell. Eritrea withdrew from Ethiopia after 30 years of struggle. The Federal Democratic Republic was formed. Today, Ethiopia continues to grow into democracy and it has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
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