ASSESS THE CONTRIBUTION OF EMPEROR THEODORE II IN THE HISTORY OF ETIDOPIA UP TO 1868.

Approach.
• In this question, the candidate is required to examine the contribution of Emperor Theodore 11 the history of Ethiopia up to 1868.
Background
• Born in 1818 to a single family and was very ambitious
• Was a chief of a band of robbers and great slave trader and later formed a private army which made him a wealthy man
• Married a daughter of chief.
• Attacked and defeated king of Tigre and Shoa and was crowned the Neguja -Negasha in 1849, hence becoming the overall leader of Ethiopia
• Theodore centralized the administration of Ethiopia by breaking up the existing large provinces to smaller ones under governors appointed and paid by him
• Attempted to improve on taxation, introduced taxation to all citizens and mstitutions including the church which for long had been exempted from tax.
• Formed a large army of well paid officers which he used to suppress internal revolts and for defense against external enemies especially the Egyptians.
Points to consider
• He regulated the powers of the church. The church had owned a third of land in Ethiopia,was free from taxation and many people had joined priesthood to escape from paying tax. By reducing powers of the church from state Theodore managed to separate politics from religion.
• Theodore built roads which eased communication and reduced on the remoteness of some areas
• Exposed Ethiopia to outside world
• Encouraged agriculture so as to handle the problem of food shortage.
• Laid foundation for united and strong Ethiopia.
However, Theodore contributed negatively.
• He wanted other European countries to respect and recognize Ethiopia as an independent country. This led to the Napier expedition which costed him his throne and life.
• There were internal conflicts in Ethiopia which Theodore foiled to control: these resulted because of over centralizing of power and reduction of the powers of the church.
• Recruited a large army at the expense of the tax payers.
• Lacked tolerance 0 either religions especially to the Muslims.