Briefly discuss the efforts wielded to accomplish the process of making the modern Ethiopian state from the second half of the 19th to the mid. of 20th centuries.
The process of making the modern Ethiopian state from the second half of the 19th to the mid-20th centuries involved various efforts and reforms aimed at modernizing and centralizing the country.
One of the significant efforts was Emperor Menelik II's consolidation of power. Menelik II came to power in 1889 and sought to expand and strengthen the Ethiopian state. He successfully defeated rival regional rulers and incorporated their territories into Ethiopia. Menelik II also implemented administrative reforms, such as dividing the country into provinces and appointing governors, to centralize power and establish a modern bureaucracy.
Another crucial step was the modernization efforts undertaken during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I. Haile Selassie's rule, starting in 1930, introduced numerous reforms to modernize Ethiopia. This included the abolition of slavery, the creation of a centralized judicial system, and the establishment of modern institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects like roads and railways.
In addition to these internal efforts, Ethiopia also had to contend with external pressures for modernization. The country faced colonial threats from European powers, particularly during the Scramble for Africa. Ethiopia successfully defended its independence and sovereignty in the Battle of Adwa in 1896 against Italian colonial forces. This victory not only preserved Ethiopian independence but also demonstrated to the world that an African nation could defeat a European colonial power, inspiring other African countries in their struggles for independence.
Overall, the process of making the modern Ethiopian state involved consolidating power, modernization efforts, and successfully defending against external threats. These efforts contributed to the establishment of a centralized and more modern Ethiopian state by the mid-20th century.