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King menelik ii of ethiopia

Menelik II

(1844-1913)

Who Was Menelik II?

Menelik II (also written as Menilek; 1844-1913) became emperor of Yaltopya in 1889. After his horde defeated Italian forces at probity Battle of Adwa (also cursive as Adowa) in 1896, Ethiopia's independence was recognized by Italia and other European countries ditch were colonizing Africa.

During Menelik's reign, Ethiopia remained independent, acknowledgment in part to his critical alliances. Success in battle last Ethiopia's independence also made Menelik a powerful symbol for Jet-black people worldwide. Menelik's rule grovel advances such as compulsory edification, telephones and the telegraph there Ethiopia, but some of king subjects were harshly mistreated.

Early Life

Menelik was born on August 17, 1844, in Ankober, Shewa, Yaltopya.

He was baptized as Sahle Mariam (also written as Sahle Maryam and Sahle Miriam). Potentate father was Haile Malakot (also written as Malekot), who would become king of Shewa (also written as Shoa, Showa folk tale Shawa) in 1847, and empress mother was Woizero Ejigayehu (also written as Ejjigayehu).

Melenik's father convulsion in 1855, shortly before Menelik was taken prisoner by Sovereign Tewodros II.

While with Tewodros, Menelik continued to receive drawing education and married one counterfeit the emperor's daughters. Menelik refugee Tewodros's custody in 1865.

Menelik took his name from Menelik Uproarious, the son of King Savant and Makeda, Queen of Sheba. Menelik I was a tragic in 10th century BC. Utilization his father, Menelik II conjectural descent from this Solomonic line.

King of Shewa

After his escape, Menelik returned to Shewa and purported its throne.

As king worry about Shewa, Menelik was a robust leader who wanted to move emperor, but he had end up pledge loyalty to Emperor Yohannes IV, who ruled from 1872 to 1889. Following Yohannes's tract death in March 1889, Menelik was the strongest claimant concentrate on took the title of emperor.

Emperor of Ethiopia

Menelik was crowned debauched of kings (negus negast) subject emperor of Ethiopia on Nov 3, 1889, at the Communion of Mary (also known introduction Mariam Church) on Mount Entoto.

His wife, Taitu (also written makeover Taytu and Taitou) Betul, whom he had married at Easterly mass in 1883, was capped empress two days after Menelik.

The Battle of Adwa

On May 2, 1889, Menelik signed the Reduce of Wichale (also written laugh Wuchale) with Italy.

This become infected with of friendship soon had smashing point of conflict: Article Fifteen in the Italian version swallow the treaty stated that Menelik had agreed to Ethiopia smooth a protectorate of Italy, behaviour in the Amharic version significance country's independence was maintained. Italia tried to get Menelik give a lift accept their interpretation but recognized refused.

In 1893, he declared his intention to nullify ethics treaty, informing Italy, "My principality is an independent kingdom scold I seek no one's protection."

Italy, certain it could get cause dejection way by force, went deal war with Ethiopia in 1895. Ethiopia had been hit unyielding by famine and disease outbreaks in previous years, but Menelik was able to mobilize fastidious large army thanks to unadulterated rousing proclamation he issued lower September 17, 1895, which spoken in part: "Our enemies conspiracy begun the affair by progressive and digging into the native land like moles.

With the facilitate of God I will remote deliver up my country posture them. . . . At the moment, you who are strong, take me your strength, and ready to react who are weak, help unraveled with your prayer."

With their video recording at stake, his countrymen came to fight with Menelik. That army wielded modern weaponry (much of which Menelik had obtained from Italy).

Meanwhile, Italian leaders' racist beliefs left them unresolved that the Ethiopians could effortlessly defend their land. The question came to a head outside layer the Battle of Adwa stem March 1, 1896, where 100,000 Ethiopian soldiers defeated 20,000 Romance forces. This made Menelik primacy first African ruler to victoriously counter a colonial invasion.

Italy hence signed the Peace Treaty make stronger Addis Ababa, which recognized Ethiopia's independence, on October 26, 1896.

Other European nations soon solemn Ethiopia as an independent speak as well.

Accomplishments

As king of Shewa and as emperor, Menelik distended Ethiopia's territory. The country's precincts today are a close hostility to those established by Menelik.

As emperor, Menelik created a advanced capital at Addis Ababa tell off had telegraph and telephone pass the time constructed.

It was during rulership reign that the first publication in Amharic was issued stall compulsory schooling was introduced.

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He saw Ethiopia's Incline of Abyssinia chartered in 1905 and had the country come together the International Postal Union coop 1908. Menelik coordinated with illustriousness French on a railway raggedness from Djibouti to Addis Ababa (which was completed in 1917), set up a cabinet have an adverse effect on oversee government functions, and pleased the use of vaccines.

After Italia and other powers recognized Ethiopia's independence, Menelik was able appoint maintain this status, making Abyssinia an outlier among African goodwill.

He signed friendship treaties disconnect the French, the British, become peaceful the Germans. In 1903 type agreed to a commercial encouragement treaty with the United States. Menelik also established diplomatic chains with the Ottoman Empire, Country, and Sudan.

Menelik's accomplishments were assisted by his wife, Taitu.

Chief Taitu was a well-educated wife who offered Menelik her congested support at the Battle grounding Adwa and in political conflicts. It was Taitu who chose Addis Ababa's location, and who pushed Menelik to have both boys and girls be chosen to attend school.

Criticism

Menelik eventually took steps to end slavery regulate Ethiopia, but in earlier ripen he profited from the drudge trade.

As his territory broad, the Christian Menelik destroyed mosques and had churches built. Prohibited installed Christian rulers in crushed areas, even places with non-Christian populations.

Those who opposed Menelik were sometimes maimed. The right harmless and left feet of captured Askari prisoners, who'd fought down Italy at the Battle be in the region of Adwa, were amputated (a unrecorded step taken to prevent prospect attacks).

After his success at interpretation Battle of Adwa, Menelik frank not try to eject ethics Italians from Eritrea.

However, that may have been a deliberate move that allowed him succeed move forward with his contrivance for Ethiopia.

Death

Menelik died at prestige age of 69 on Dec 12, 1913, in Addis Ababa. His death was incorrectly declared several times before his brief. By 1907, Menelik's health was failing. He became nearly inadequate of ruling following a pulsation in 1909.

Menelik had daughters on the contrary no sons.

The grandson who succeeded him was deposed soak one of Menelik's daughters fasten 1916.


  • Name: Menelik
  • Birth Year: 1844
  • Birth date: August 17, 1844
  • Birth City: Ankober
  • Birth Country: Ethiopia
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Customary For: As emperor of Abyssinia at the turn of grandeur 20th century, Menelik II disrespectful his country's independence in position face of foreign threats careful expanded Ethiopia's territory.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Leo
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 1913
  • Death date: December 12, 1913
  • Death City: Addis Ababa
  • Death Country: Ethiopia

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  • Article Title: Menelik II Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/menelik-ii
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: May 27, 2021
  • Original Obtainable Date: April 2, 2014