7.Point out the outcomes of the 1974 Ethiopian revolution and factors contributed to its demise in the early 1990s.

Answer 1

The 1974 Ethiopian Revolution, which led to the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie, had significant outcomes and ultimately contributed to the rise and fall of the Derg, the military junta that took power. Here’s a breakdown of the outcomes and the factors that contributed to the Derg's demise in the early 1990s:

Outcomes of the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution:

1. Overthrow of the Monarchy: The revolution ended centuries of imperial rule in Ethiopia, with the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie.

2. Establishment of a Socialist Regime: The Derg, composed of military officers, established a Marxist-Leninist government, promoting socialism as the guiding ideology.

3. Land Reforms: The Derg implemented radical land reforms, redistributing land from feudal landlords to peasant farmers, which aimed to eliminate poverty and increase agricultural productivity.

4. Nationalization of Industries: Many industries and services were nationalized, aimed at implementing state control over the economy and aligning with socialist principles.

5. Suppression of Dissent: The Derg maintained power through political repression, including censorship, imprisonment, and violence against perceived opponents, leading to widespread human rights abuses.

6. Ethnic Federalism: Although the Derg initially promoted a unitary state, ethnic tensions resulted in a growing awareness of national and regional identity, setting the stage for later federal arrangements.

7. Economic Decline and Famine: By the 1980s, Ethiopia faced economic difficulties, exacerbated by government policies, drought, and famine, culminating in the 1984–1985 famine which drew international attention.

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Factors Contributing to the Derg's Demise in the Early 1990s:

1. Prolonged Civil Wars: The Derg faced multiple insurgencies from various ethnic and regional groups (e.g., the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF)), which undermined its stability.

2. Economic Mismanagement: Ineffective economic policies and state control resulted in economic decline, with shortages in basic goods and a lack of effective agricultural production.

3. International Isolation: The end of Cold War dynamics led to reduced foreign support, especially from the Soviet Union, impacting military and economic assistance. Ethiopia lost its status as a strategic ally.

4. Famine: The catastrophic famine of the mid-1980s eroded public confidence in the Derg, revealing the government's inability to manage the crisis effectively.

5. Loss of Popular Support: Human rights abuses, political repression, and failure to improve living standards alienated many Ethiopians, leading to diminished support for the regime.

6. Political Struggles: The Derg experienced internal divisions and power struggles, weakening its effectiveness as a governing body.

7. Rise of Opposition Movements: The emergence of well-organized and armed opposition groups, which united against the Derg, ultimately led to a sustained military threat that the Derg could not withstand.

8. Fall of the Berlin Wall and Global Trends: The shifts towards democracy and governmental reforms in Eastern Europe influenced movements in Ethiopia, encouraging popular uprisings against authoritarian regimes.

By 1991, these factors culminated in the overthrow of the Derg by a coalition of rebel groups, marking the end of its rule and the establishment of a new government in Ethiopia.