Menelik II and the Modernization of Ethiopia

Ethiopia was an ancient Christian kingdom that, by the 1880s, was being reunified and expanded under strong emperors. Menelik II, king of Shewa, became emperor in 1889 and built Addis Ababa, founded in 1886, into his capital. Aware of the threat posed by European powers, Menelik bought tens of thousands of modern rifles and artillery, often by playing European suppliers, including France, Russia and Italy, against one another. He also built roads, introduced a postal service and supported the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway, begun in 1897.

In 1889 Menelik signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy, but its Amharic and Italian versions differed on a key article: the Italian text claimed Ethiopia must conduct foreign affairs through Italy, making it a protectorate, while the Amharic version said Ethiopia could do so. Menelik rejected the Italian interpretation, setting the stage for war. Menelik's own conquests also expanded Ethiopia southward, a reminder that empire-building was not only European.