3. THE DOWNFALL OF THEODORE II LED TO A MUCH STRONGER AND UNITED ETHIOPIA "DISCUSSES.

Approach
• Examine the career of Theodore II of Ethiopia
• Show whether or not his downfall culminated in much stringer and united Ethiopia
Basis of Argument
1. Administration was highly centralized the country was divided up into smaller units under governors appointed by the emperor; this centralization policy was resented by the rises, thus undermining Ethiopian unity. However, John IV who succeeded Theodore n adopted federal system of government, he thus capitalized on the weakness of Theodore to establish a system acceptable to the rases, hence more unity in Ethiopia.
2. The fall of Theodore led to agreement between John IV and Menelik Ihence laying foundation for unity in Ethiopia
3. Assistance Ethiopians gave to the Napier expedition which overthrew Theodore II was rewarded by the acquisting of fire arms which firearms were used to defend Ethiopia against Egypt Italy and Sudan
4. The fall of Theodore II was misunderstood as a weakness by Egypt, It Sudan and later all were defeated by Ethiopia.
5. The successors of Thoedore like John IV and Menlik built on what he achieved to foster unity build a strong army and maintain Ethiopian independence.
6. Theodore had won himself many enemies, many rases like those of S .Gonjam, Tigre and Walaga had weakened his forces as they fought wars of cessation, however John who succeded him tried to bring the rases together and such wars of cessation relaxed leading to a much united Ethiopia.
7. Theodore had lost support of the church yet the church had a lot of influence in Ethiopia this was because he had confiscated church land, taxed church property and reduced the clergy. However his downfall led to the rise of John IV and Menelik who respected the church institution which institution supported them leading to a much united Ethiopia
8. Theodore’s army was not motivated and had been demoralized and weakened by endless wars and suppressing revolts of the rises. However his downfall led to the rise of John IV and Menelik who acquired guns and built a strong army leading to a much stronger and united Ethiopia.
9. Theodore failed to raise support from the neighboring countries i.e. Egypt, Sudan and Somalia because these were Muslim countries, however when he fell from power his successors created friendship with neighboring countries that why at Adowano neighboring country supported Italy leading to a much stronger and United Ethiopia.
In a concluding remark the downfall of Theodore II was a blessing in disguise since it led the rise of more forward looking leaders like John IV and Menlik who put up policies that united and strengthened the Ethiopia to the extent that it survived European colonialism.