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Ethiopian Empire

Empires and Imperial States

The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a country that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It existed from the establishment of the Solomonic dynasty by Yekuno Amlak around 1270 until the 1974 coup d'etat by the Derg, which ended the reign of the final Emperor, Haile Selassie. Under Emperor Menelik II in the late 19th century, the empire expanded significantly to the south and secured its independence through a victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Capital
Addis Ababa (from 1889) 1
Final and longest-held capital; earlier capitals included Gondar (1635-1855), Debre Tabor and Mekelle.
Start Year
1270 1
End Year
1974 1
Government type (class)
Empire 1
Classification
Status (Extant or Former)
Former / Dissolved 1
FAQs

How did the Ethiopian Empire defeat Italy at the Battle of Adwa?

Menelik II and Empress Taytu mobilised about 100,000 troops against roughly 20,000 Italians on 1 March 1896 and ended Italy's attempt to colonise Ethiopia.

The road to Adwa began with the Treaty of Wichale of 1889, which existed in Amharic and Italian versions that disagreed. The Italian text made Ethiopia a protectorate, while the Amharic text only gave Ethiopia the option of reporting to Italy on dealings with other European powers. Emperor Menelik II denounced the treaty in 1893. On 1 March 1896, Menelik and Empress Taytu fielded about 100,000 troops against roughly 20,000 Italians. Taytu is also credited with forcing the Italians out of their fort by cutting off its water supply. The victory foiled Italy's plan to colonise Ethiopia and became a lasting symbol of African resistance to European conquest.
Connections

In Era

Source Ethiopian Empire (Wikipedia)
Source Ethiopian Empire (Wikipedia)
Source Ethiopian Empire (Wikipedia)

Participant In

Battle of Adwa, Events
Source Wikipedia: Battle of Adwa

Ruled By

Additional Source Ethiopian Empire (Wikipedia)Lead section (Menelik II expansion)
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Same As

Also in Geography Atlas: the same subject.

Government Type

Also in Society and Culture Atlas: the government type of this subject.

Sources
1. Ethiopian Empire (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    under Emperor Menelik II, the empire expanded significantly to the south
  • Lead section (establishment)
    establishment of the Solomonic dynasty by Yekuno Amlak around 1270
  • Lead section (end)
    until the 1974 coup d'etat by the Derg
  • Infobox (capital)
    Addis Ababa (1889-1974)
  • Ethiopian Empire: Status
    The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a country that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
  • Wikipedia lead paragraph, official name/state form (w-bbfill-history3-0927)
  • Ruled By: Menelik II, Lead section (Menelik II expansion)
    under Emperor Menelik II, the empire expanded significantly to the south
  • In Era: The Post-Classical and Medieval Period, lead paragraph and infobox, existence dates
    The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a country that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
  • In Era: The Early Modern Period, lead paragraph and infobox, existence dates
    The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a country that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
  • In Era: The Contemporary Period, lead paragraph and infobox, existence dates
    The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a country that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
View the Source
Remembering the Battle of Adwa (South African History Online)
South African History OnlineArticle body, on the Battle of Adwa
Quote, Article body, on the Battle of Adwa
Thanks to the diplomatic skills of Emperor Menelik and Empress Taytu, the two mobilised an enormous military force of about 100 000 troops, completely overwhelming the Italians who only managed 20 000.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Battle of Adwa
WikipediaParticipant In: Battle of Adwa, Lead section
Quote, Participant In: Battle of Adwa, Lead section
It was fought on 1 March 1896, near the town of Adwa between the Ethiopian Empire under Emperor Menelik II and an Italian colonial force led by General Oreste Baratieri.
View the Source
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