Empress Zewditu I (1876–1930)

Empress Zewditu I (1876–1930) was the Empress of Ethiopia from 1916 until her death in 1930. She was a significant figure in Ethiopian history, both as the first woman to rule the country in her own right and as a symbol of the country’s struggles with internal political conflict and foreign threats during the early 20th century.

Early Life and Background

• Born: April 29, 1876, to Menelek II, the Emperor of Ethiopia, and Empress Taytu Betul, in the capital city of Addis Ababa.
• Zewditu was part of the Solomonic dynasty, which traced its origins back to King Solomon of Israel and the Queen of Sheba.
• From an early age, she was groomed for leadership, though she was not initially in line for the throne due to her gender.

Ascension to the Throne

Zewditu’s rise to power was the result of a period of political instability in Ethiopia:

1. Menelek II’s Illness and Death (1913): In 1913, Emperor Menelek II fell ill and was unable to fulfill his duties. His son, Tesemma, briefly took power but soon died. This led to a period of political maneuvering in the Ethiopian court.
2. The Role of Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma: Zewditu’s cousin, Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma, initially supported her rise to the throne. However, this was not without competition from other powerful military leaders, especially Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma. Ultimately, after a struggle for power, Zewditu was crowned Empress in 1916.
3. Coronation: She was crowned Empress of Ethiopia in 1916 after the deposition of Emperor Iyasu V, who had been ousted due to his alleged pro-Turkish sympathies. Zewditu’s rule was supported by Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma, but she never fully controlled the power dynamics of the Ethiopian state, which were influenced by military leaders.

Reign and Political Context

• Regency and Power Struggles: Though Zewditu was crowned Empress, her reign was not marked by unchallenged authority. She shared power with her cousin, Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma, and her position was influenced by the military elite.
• Role of Menelik II’s Successors: She did not exercise absolute power, and during much of her reign, the political reality was that her cousin Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma controlled most of the military and governmental apparatus.
• Foreign Relations: Zewditu’s reign took place in the midst of European colonial ambitions in Africa and the rise of Italian expansionism. Ethiopia was one of the few African nations that remained independent in the face of European colonialism, but tensions with Italy remained high throughout her reign.

Key Events During Her Reign

1. Italo-Ethiopian War (1930): Italy’s colonial ambitions in Ethiopia continued to cause unrest. In 1930, just months before her death, Italy began its military incursions, culminating in the second Italo-Ethiopian war in 1935. Though Zewditu was never directly involved in the conflict, her reign set the stage for Ethiopia’s resistance to Italian forces.
2. Internal Struggles: Zewditu’s reign was marked by a series of internal conflicts, particularly the struggle between the military elite, the monarchy, and religious leaders. The division between Zewditu and Ras Bitwaddad Tesemma, as well as the rivalry with other power factions, resulted in instability within the kingdom.
3. Coronation of Haile Selassie: Zewditu’s reign ended with the ascension of her cousin, Haile Selassie I, who had been politically marginalized under her rule. Haile Selassie, who would become one of Ethiopia’s most famous leaders, was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930, shortly before her death. Zewditu’s inability to consolidate power paved the way for his rise.

Death and Aftermath

• Death: Empress Zewditu I died on April 21, 1930, from an illness, just a few months before the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Her death marked the end of her reign and the beginning of Haile Selassie’s.
• Legacy: Zewditu’s reign is often seen as a transitional period in Ethiopian history. She was a symbol of the last vestiges of Ethiopia’s traditional monarchy, but her reign also laid the foundation for the reforms and modernization efforts that would come under Haile Selassie.

Key Contributions and Legacy

• Female Leadership in Ethiopia: Zewditu was notable for being the first woman to rule Ethiopia in her own right. Her reign was an important, though challenging, chapter in Ethiopian history.
• Haile Selassie’s Reign: Her reign ended just as Haile Selassie, her cousin and one of the most important figures in Ethiopian history, ascended to the throne. His reign would mark a turning point in Ethiopia’s political and social development.
• Symbol of the Ethiopian Monarchy: While Zewditu was largely a figurehead, she was still an important symbol of Ethiopia’s enduring monarchy and resistance to foreign domination during a time of great political turbulence in the country.

In conclusion, Empress Zewditu I played a crucial role in Ethiopia’s transition from the 19th century to the 20th century. Despite facing political difficulties and power struggles, her legacy is tied to the traditions of Ethiopian monarchy and the struggles that laid the groundwork for Haile Selassie’s reign and the subsequent era of Ethiopian history.