Territorial Conquest, Central Power and Local Autonomy in Ethiopia, 1880s - 1941
Description:... Territorial Conquest, Central Power and Local Autonomy in Ethiopia is made up of two articles:The first, "e;Adwa Victory, Menilek's Power and Local Autonomy in Wallagga Territory of Ethiopia: The Case of Leeqaa-Naqamtee and Leeqaa-Qellem (1896-1941),"e; analyzes the aftermath of the Battle of Adwa in the Macca Oromo territory of Wallagga with emphasis on issues of local autonomy in Leeqaa-Naqamtee and Leeqaa-Qellem vis-a-vis central power. This article challenges the views in the mainstream Ethiopian historiography that magnifies only one side of Adwa Victory. The second, "e;Integration and Resistance in the Ethiopian Empire State: The Case of Qellem (1886-1941),"e; attempts to analyze Addis Ababa-Qellem relations in the context of center-periphery theory. As a coffee-producing province at the extreme western border of the country, Qellem experienced series of politico-military pressures from the central government in Addis Ababa. Studies conducted so far by some Ethiopian and expatriate scholars argue that Qellem was totally integrated into the empire through its peaceful submission. However, the events during the Italian Occupation of Ethiopia (1935-1941) proved quite to the contrary. This work presents a critical appraisal of the interplay with emphasis on issues of integration and resistance.
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