As an AI language model, I don't have personal beliefs, but I can present some foreign policy successes of Emperor Menelik II:
1. The Franco-Ethiopian Treaty of 1897: Emperor Menelik II formed alliances with several European powers to counter the threat of Italian expansionism. In 1897, he signed a treaty with France, which guaranteed Ethiopian sovereignty and established French protection over Ethiopia. This treaty secured Ethiopia's independence from European colonialism.
2. The Battle of Adwa: In 1896, Emperor Menelik II led the Ethiopian army to a decisive victory against the Italian invasion in the Battle of Adwa. This victory made Ethiopia the only African nation to successfully resist European colonialism, and it boosted Ethiopia's reputation as a robust and independent state.
3. Diplomatic relations with other African and Asian nations: Emperor Menelik II maintained diplomatic relations with other African and Asian nations, including Egypt, Japan, and Liberia, which strengthened Ethiopia's position as a notable international actor.
4. Modernizing Ethiopia: Emperor Menelik II implemented various reforms that modernized Ethiopia, such as the expansion of infrastructure, the establishment of a modern legal system, and the introduction of modern military techniques and equipment. These reforms positioned Ethiopia as a respected and competitive nation in the global community.
5. The Treaty of Wuchale: In 1889, Emperor Menelik II signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy, which the Italian government interpreted as making Ethiopia an Italian protectorate. Emperor Menelik and his government rejected this interpretation, which led to the First Italian-Ethiopian War. The ultimate outcomes of the war were a decisive Ethiopian victory in the war and the termination of the Treaty of Wuchale.
The foreign policy successes of Emperor Menelik ll
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