Haile Selassie I

I

Introduction

Haile Selassie I (1892-1975), the last emperor of Abyssinia (Ethiopia; 1930-1974) and the last in a series of rulers who, according to Ethiopian tradition, descended from the biblical Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. A world-renowned spokesperson for African unity and modernization, Haile Selassie was nevertheless unable to transform the ancient empire of Abyssinia into a modern state. In 1974 he was overthrown in a military coup, and the monarchy was abolished. Haile Selassie is the object of veneration in Rastafarianism, which originated in Jamaica soon after his coronation as emperor.

II

Haile Selassie’s Rise to the Throne

Born near Hārer (Harar) in eastern Ethiopia, he was baptized Haile Selassie (“Might of the Trinity”) but was known as Tafari until his accession. His father, Ras (Prince) Makonnen, was a first cousin of Emperor Menelik II. Ras Makonnen was also governor of Hârer Province. Tafari received a traditional education from Ethiopian Orthodox priests. He also attended the modern Menelik II School in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. At the age of 13, Tafari began governing a region in the province of Hârer. He became governor of the entire province in 1911.

Emperor Menelik died in 1913. His grandson and designated successor, Lij Iyasu, let it be known he was predisposed toward Islam. This offended the Christian elite, which threw its support behind Tafari. In 1916 the Christian chieftains of Shewa Province staged a coup to depose Iyasu, marching their forces on Addis Ababa. They crowned Menelik’s daughter Zauditu as empress and declared Tafari regent and heir to the throne, as Ras Tafari.

Ras Tafari immediately sought to modernize Ethiopia, at that time still a feudal society. He focused on improving the economy, primarily by introducing market reforms, and on maintaining Ethiopia’s economic independence. Ras Tafari and Empress Zauditu officially abolished the slave trade in Ethiopia as a prerequisite for gaining admission to the League of Nations, achieved in 1923. The following year, the government enacted laws providing for the gradual emancipation of slaves.

Ras Tafari was crowned negus (king) in 1928, having consolidated his power. Following the death of Empress Zauditu, he was crowned emperor on November 2, 1930, as Haile Selassie I.

III

Emperor of Ethiopia

As emperor, Haile Selassie continued and expanded the modernizing reforms begun under Menelik II. One of his first acts was to introduce Ethiopia’s first written constitution in 1931. The constitution established a parliament but limited it to an advisory role; the emperor retained near-absolute power. Haile Selassie was the driving force behind improvements in health care, education, state finance, and the transport infrastructure. However, the emperor generally took a gradualist approach to modernization. He faced strong resistance to his reforms from the entrenched elite, especially those developments that centralized his power. The provincial nobility and other landholders, as well as church officials, saw the reforms as a threat to their power and privileges.

A

Italian Occupation of Ethiopia

After the late 19th-century Scramble for Africa, the European imperial powers’ carve-up of the continent, Ethiopia and Liberia remained the only African nations not under colonial control. Ethiopian independence was secured by victory over the Italians at the Battle of Ādwa in 1896. Haile Selassie tried to maintain a balance in his relations with his powerful colonial neighbours—Britain, France, and Italy. However, the imperialist ambitions of the fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini led to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in October 1935. Italy added Ethiopia to its possessions in May 1936.

Haile Selassie initially led Ethiopian forces during the Italo-Ethiopian War, but he was forced to flee the country and take refuge in Britain. In June 1936 he made an impassioned plea for help to the League of Nations at Geneva, in which he issued a prophetic warning: “It is us today. Tomorrow it will be you.” No material assistance was offered until Italy, siding with Germany in World War II, declared war against Britain and France in June 1940. Haile Selassie returned at once to Africa and amassed in Sudan a force of Ethiopian exiles. They joined British forces entering Ethiopia on January 20, 1941, and soon liberated the country. Haile Selassie returned to Addis Ababa and was restored to the throne in May.