Ethiopia Society Before 1974.
Before 1974 in Ethiopia, there was great inequity in Ethiopian society.
The economy of Ethiopia was virtually feudal, because large areas of land as well as much of the country's wealth were held by the few wealthy people. Therefore, there was not much development in the countryside.
The economy of Ethiopia was virtually feudal, because large areas of land as well as much of the country's wealth were held by the few wealthy people. Therefore, there was not much development in the countryside.
tHE cause
By the early 1970, the frustration went to the peak. There were several problems occurred at that period. The immediate cause of 1974 Ethiopian Revolution was closely related with the rises of commodity prices.
In early 1970's, the rise of commodities stroke Ethiopia including the fuel and other commodities. The rising price of oil world-wide and the government's decision to raise the cost of gasoline by 50 per cent caused the up-rise of taxi drivers. Moreover, teachers and students started to protest against the new educational curriculum as well as for teachers' low salary. Sporadic protest and several demonstrations led by university and high school students took the major role. As a result, the educational institutions throughout the empire were paralyzed. Also, catastrophic famine in the northern province took the significant role for the revolution. Disastrous drought in the north during 1972 to 1974 took the lives of more than 200,000 people. The drought victims became the opposition force of Haile Selassie's government due to the irritation caused by the government's inability to control the problems. The rapid decrease of domestic food supplies due to the drought caused the severe poverty as well as the alarming unemployment in urban society. Moreover, the military force also engaged in this confusion. Mutinies broke out throughout the empire due to the poor food and low pay as well as the dissatisfaction of commander. Starting from Territorial Army's Fourth Brigade at Negele, the soldiers captured their commanders and rebelled against the emperor. Furthermore, the simmering war between Eritrea increasingly weakened the Haile Selassie. The Eritrean secessionist launched the military response towards the Ethiopian control, and this began during the rule of Haile Selassie. The numerous confusions during the early 1970 eventually caused the revolution, and consequently, it caused so much changes in Ethiopia.
In early 1970's, the rise of commodities stroke Ethiopia including the fuel and other commodities. The rising price of oil world-wide and the government's decision to raise the cost of gasoline by 50 per cent caused the up-rise of taxi drivers. Moreover, teachers and students started to protest against the new educational curriculum as well as for teachers' low salary. Sporadic protest and several demonstrations led by university and high school students took the major role. As a result, the educational institutions throughout the empire were paralyzed. Also, catastrophic famine in the northern province took the significant role for the revolution. Disastrous drought in the north during 1972 to 1974 took the lives of more than 200,000 people. The drought victims became the opposition force of Haile Selassie's government due to the irritation caused by the government's inability to control the problems. The rapid decrease of domestic food supplies due to the drought caused the severe poverty as well as the alarming unemployment in urban society. Moreover, the military force also engaged in this confusion. Mutinies broke out throughout the empire due to the poor food and low pay as well as the dissatisfaction of commander. Starting from Territorial Army's Fourth Brigade at Negele, the soldiers captured their commanders and rebelled against the emperor. Furthermore, the simmering war between Eritrea increasingly weakened the Haile Selassie. The Eritrean secessionist launched the military response towards the Ethiopian control, and this began during the rule of Haile Selassie. The numerous confusions during the early 1970 eventually caused the revolution, and consequently, it caused so much changes in Ethiopia.
Their Demands
- Teachers, workers, and students demanded higher pay and better conditions of work and education.
(Due to the ever-worsening unemployment)
- They promoted land reform and famine relief. (Due to the severe famine)
- They demanded new political system that can solve all the problems happened in Ethiopia.
(Due to the ever-worsening unemployment)
- They promoted land reform and famine relief. (Due to the severe famine)
- They demanded new political system that can solve all the problems happened in Ethiopia.