AMBO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS AND ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUER

ENGINNERING

HISTORY ASSIGNMENT 2

NAME ID. NO.

ABDULKARIM MUAZ UGR/50254/13

BONSA ADUGNA UGR/51416/13

FEDEWAK HAILU UGR/51601/13

MARARTU TASFAYE UGR/53894/13

Submitted to : Mr. Tasfaye

Summision date:March, 31, 2025

1. Discuss the deeds of the patriots focusing on their achievements and weaknesses.
What were the of weakness Ethiopian patriotic resistance movements against the
Italian aggression of the 1936 -1941.And what helped Ethiopia to victorious in 1941.

Ethiopian Patriots' Resistance (1936–1941): Achievements, Weaknesses, and Factors

Leading to Victory in 1941

Achievements of the Ethiopian Patriots

Guerrilla Warfare & Prolonged Resistance:

Despite Italy's occupation (1936–1941), Ethiopian patriots (Arbegnoch) waged
relentless guerrilla warfare, disrupting Italian control outside major cities.
Leaders like Ras Abebe Aregai, Belay Zeleke, and Dejazmach Balcha Safo organized
attacks on Italian supply lines, forts, and collaborators.
Maintaining Ethiopian Sovereignty Symbolically:
The Patriots ensured that Italy never fully pacified Ethiopia, keeping the spirit of
resistance alive.
Emperor Haile Selassie's 1941 return was possible due to their groundwork.
International Attention & Diplomatic Pressure:
Their resistance exposed Italy's brutal occupation (e.g., massacres like Graziani's
Yekatit 12), swaying global opinion against fascist Italy.
Collaboration with Allied Forces (1940–1941):
When Britain launched the East African Campaign (1940–1941), Patriots provided
intelligence, guides, and direct military support, hastening Italy's defeat.

Weaknesses of the Ethiopian Resistance

Lack of Unified Leadership:

Resistance was fragmented among regional leaders (e.g., Ras Kassa in Gojjam, Ras
Imru in Shewa) without a central command, weakening coordination.
Limited Modern Weapons & Supplies:
Patriots relied on outdated rifles and captured Italian arms, while Italy had planes,
tanks, and chemical weapons (mustard gas).
Internal Divisions & Betrayals:
Some nobles (e.g., Ras Hailu Tekle Haymanot) collaborated with Italy, undermining
resistance efforts.
Rivalries between regional leaders (e.g., Ras Abebe vs. Belay Zeleke) weakened unity.
Brutal Italian Reprisals:
Italy used scorched-earth tactics, mass executions (e.g., Addis Ababa massacre of
1937), and destroyed villages, demoralizing some Patriots.
Lack of Foreign Support Until 1940:
Before WWII, Western powers (Britain, France) recognized Italy's occupation,
leaving Ethiopia isolated.

Factors That Led to Ethiopia's Victory in 1941

British Military Intervention (East African Campaign.

Britain, fighting Italy in WWII, invaded from Sudan & Kenya in 1940–1941,
defeating Italian forces at Gondar, Amba Alagi, and Addis Ababa.
patriots' Role in Liberation
Ethiopian guerrillas harassed Italian troops, cut supply lines, and joined British forces,
ensuring swift victory.
Emperor Haile Selassie's Return (1941)
His leadership (after exile in Britain) symbolized national unity and legitimacy,
rallying more fighters.
Italy's Overextension in WWII
Mussolini's forces were stretched thin in North Africa, Greece, and East Africa,
weakening their hold on Ethiopia.
International Recognition of Ethiopia
The Allied Powers (Britain, US) rejected Italy's occupation, supporting Ethiopia's
restoration

The Patriots' resistance kept Ethiopia’s hope of independence alive despite

weaknesses in unity and arms. Their guerrilla warfare, combined with British military
support and Italy's WWII struggles, led to Ethiopia's liberation in 1941—making it the
first nation to defeat a European colonizer in WWII.
2.Assess the causes, course and consequences of the Bale peasant uprising

The Bale Peasant Uprising (1963–1970): Causes, Course, and Consequences

The Bale Peasant Uprising was a major rebellion in southeastern Ethiopia, fueled by
land inequality, ethnic discrimination, and political marginalization. It was one of the
longest and most organized peasant revolts in Ethiopian history and laid the
groundwork for future revolutionary movements.
1. Causes of the Uprising
A. Land Tenure and Feudal Exploitation
- The feudal ‘gabbar’ system forced Oromo and Somali peasants to work as serfs for
Amhara landlords and the state.
- Heavy taxation (tithes, forced labor, and tribute payments) left peasants in extreme
poverty.
B. Ethnic and Religious Discrimination
- Oromo and Somali Muslims faced marginalization under the Christian Amhara-
dominated monarchy.
- The government imposed Amharic language and Orthodox Christianity, suppressing
local cultures.
C. Political Exclusion
- Bale’s people had no representation in Haile Selassie’s central government.
- Local leaders (like Waqo Gutu) were sidelined in favor of Amhara administrators.
D. Influence of Somali Irredentism
- Neighboring Somalia supported the rebellion, hoping to annex Bale (part of the
Greater Somalia dream).
2. Course of the Uprising (1963–1970)
A. Early Phase (1963–1966): Guerrilla Warfare Begins
- 1963: Rebellion began in Delo, Bale, led by Waqo Gutu, a former *gabbar* turned
rebel leader.
- Peasants armed with traditional weapons attacked landlords and government
outposts.
- Somali Republic provided some arms and training.
B. Escalation (1966–1968): Government Crackdown
- The Ethiopian military (with US and UK support) launched counterinsurgency
campaigns.
- Massacres, village burnings, and forced relocations were used to suppress resistance.
- Rebels adopted hit-and-run tactics, hiding in the Bale forests and mountains.
C. Decline and End (1968–1970)
- 1968: Waqo Gutu fled to Somalia after military defeats.
- 1970: Remaining rebels surrendered after government promises of land reform.
3. Consequences of the Uprising
A. Short-Term Effects
- Thousands died in clashes, reprisals, and famines caused by the war.
- The government partially reformed land policies but failed to fully dismantle
feudalism.
- Strengthened Somali-Ethiopian tensions, leading to later conflicts (Ogaden War,
1977).
B. Long-Term Impact
1. Inspired Future Revolts
- The uprising influenced the Ethiopian Student Movement and later revolutionary
groups (EPRP, TPLF).
2. Fueled Oromo Nationalism
- Became a symbol of Oromo resistance, inspiring the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
2. Exposed Weaknesses of the Monarchy
- Showed the unpopularity of Haile Selassie’s rule, contributing to the 1974
Revolution.
C. Legacy
- Remembered as a peasant-led struggle against feudalism and oppression.
- Highlighted ethnic and class tensions that still affect Ethiopia today.
The Bale Peasant Uprising was not just a local rebellion but a critical moment in
Ethiopia’s history, exposing deep social inequalities and inspiring future revolutionary
movements. While it was crushed militarily, its legacy lived on in Ethiopia’s long
struggle for land reform, ethnic rights, and democracy.
3.Discuss the origin and development of the Ethiopian Student Movement.
The Ethiopian Student Movement (ESM) was one of the most influential political and
intellectual forces in 20th-century Ethiopia. It played a crucial role in challenging the
monarchy, advocating for social justice, and ultimately contributing to the 1974
revolution.
1. Origins (Early 20th Century – 1950s)
The movement emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, influenced by:
- Western education: Ethiopian students who studied abroad (Europe, America, USSR)
were exposed to Marxism, nationalism, and anti-colonial ideas.
- Domestic discontent: Growing frustration with Emperor Haile Selassie’s autocratic
rule, land tenure system (*gult* and *rist*), and slow modernization.
- University of Addis Ababa (1950): The first university in Ethiopia became a hub for
student activism.
Early Activities:
- 1957: Students protested against government corruption and feudal landholding.
- 1960 Coup Attempt: The failed coup by the Imperial Bodyguard (led by Germame
Neway) inspired students to push for radical change.
2. Growth and Radicalization (1960s – Early 1970s)
By the 1960s, the movement became more organized and radical, influenced by:
- Global leftist movements (Vietnam War protests, African liberation struggles).
- Marxist-Leninist ideology, which criticized Ethiopia’s feudal system.
Major Protests & Demands:
- 1965: Students demonstrated against landlordism, chanting "Land to the Tiller!"
- 1969: Protests over unemployment and government repression.
- 1971–1972: Students exposed the Wollo famine, blaming the government’s neglect.
Key Organizations:
- University Students Union of Addis Ababa (USUAA) – Leading force in protests.
- Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) – Formed by exiled student radicals.
3. Peak and the 1974 Revolution
The movement reached its peak in the early 1970s, directly contributing to the fall of
Haile Selassie:
- 1974: A wave of strikes, demonstrations, and mutinies led to the Derg’s military
coup.
- Students initially supported the revolution but later opposed the Derg’s dictatorship.
4. Decline & Legacy
- Post-1974: Many student leaders were purged, imprisoned, or killed under the
Derg’s Red Terror (1977–78).
- Long-term Impact:
- Inspired future Ethiopian political movements.
- Shaped debates on land reform, democracy, and socialism.
- Contributed to the overthrow of feudalism in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Student Movement remains a defining chapter in Ethiopia’s struggle
for social justice and political change.
4.Write history of a known individual (Biography) you know in Ethiopia briefly.

Haile Selassie I, one of Ethiopia's most famous historical figures:

Haile Selassie I (1892–1975)

Birth Name: Tafari Makonnen

Reign: Emperor of Ethiopia (1930–1974)

Early Life

Haile Selassie was born on July 23, 1892, in Ejersa Goro, Ethiopia. A member of the
Solomonic dynasty, he was the son of Ras Makonnen, a trusted general and cousin of
Emperor Menelik II.

Rise to Power

- In 1916, after the overthrow of Emperor Iyasu V, Tafari became Regent and heir to
Empress Zewditu.

- He modernized Ethiopia, abolishing slavery and introducing reforms in education

and government.

- Crowned Emperor in 1930, he took the name Haile Selassie I ("Power of the
Trinity").

Exile & Resistance Against Italy

- When Italy invaded Ethiopia (1935–1936), Haile Selassie famously appealed to the
League of Nations for help (1936), but received little support.

- He lived in exile in England until 1941, when British and Ethiopian forces liberated
Ethiopia.
Post-War Leadership

- He played a key role in forming the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963,
headquartered in Addis Ababa.

- His rule faced criticism for slow reforms and growing unrest, leading to a famine
(1973–1974) and military discontent.

Overthrow & Death

- In 1974, a Marxist military coup (the Derg) deposed him.

- He died under mysterious circumstances on August 27, 1975, with many believing
he was assassinated.

Legacy

- Rastafarians revere him as the messiah (God incarnate, "Jah").

- A symbol of African independence and anti-colonialism.

- His remains were discovered in 1992 and reburied in Trinity Cathedral, Addis
Ababa (2000).