Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia

This book examines the political history of the last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I and argues that Haile Selassie was the founder of centralized Ethiopia with access to the sea as well as the founder of modern Ethiopian diplomacy.

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Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia by Nigusie Kassaye W. Michael examines the political history of the last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I. Michael provides a comprehensive account of the Ethiopian domestic and foreign politics during Haile Selassie's reign, a time when Ethiopia reached the peak of its power. Drawing on Russian and Ethiopian archival sources, this book analyzes Haile Selassie I as not only the final Emperor of Ethiopia but also the founder of centralized Ethiopia with access to the sea. He reigned the country for 58 years, and for 44 years he was at the top of the Empire. But more important than the duration of his rule, the monarch carried out numerous, important reforms that encouraged the country’s development and growth of its international authority. Michael argues that Haile Selassie was the founder of modern Ethiopian diplomacy. In 1974, when the monarch left his palace, Ethiopia was a member of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity, the World Health Organization, the International Red Cross, etc. and maintained diplomatic relations with 81 states, 61 of which had embassies and missions in Addis Ababa.