1. Cold War Alignment
The period of the Cold War, which lasted roughly from 1947 to 1991, was marked by intense political, ideological, and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. This global competition influenced many developing nations, including Ethiopia, whose alignment shifted significantly between the reign of Haile Selassie and the rule of Derg.
Under Haile Selassie, Ethiopia maintained a strong pro-Western orientation. This relationship was rooted in both historical ties and strategic interests. After the end of the Second World War, Ethiopia sought international support to rebuild and modernize its institutions. The United States became Ethiopia’s primary ally, providing economic aid, military training, and technological assistance.
One of the most important symbols of this relationship was the establishment of the Kagnew Station in Asmara, a U.S. communications and intelligence base. This highlighted Ethiopia’s importance in global geopolitics, particularly due to its location in the Horn of Africa, near the Red Sea and Middle Eastern trade routes. In return, Ethiopia received modern weapons, training for its armed forces, and development assistance in infrastructure, education, and health.
Haile Selassie also played a significant role internationally. He was a founding figure in the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, headquartered in Addis Ababa. Through such efforts, Ethiopia was presented as a symbol of African independence and unity. However, despite these diplomatic successes, the benefits of foreign alliances were unevenly distributed domestically. Rural populations, who made up the majority, remained largely marginalized.
Following the 1974 revolution, Ethiopia’s foreign policy shifted dramatically. The Derg, a military junta led eventually by Mengistu Haile Mariam, adopted Marxist-Leninist ideology. This ideological shift aligned Ethiopia with the Soviet Union and other socialist states such as Cuba and East Germany.
This new alignment was clearly demonstrated during the Ogaden War, when Somalia invaded Ethiopia. The Soviet Union and Cuba provided massive military support to Ethiopia, including troops, weapons, and advisors, which helped Ethiopia successfully repel the invasion. This marked one of the most direct Cold War confrontations in Africa.
However, this alignment also had negative consequences. Ethiopia became deeply involved in Cold War rivalries, and its internal conflicts, including insurgencies in Eritrea and Tigray, were intensified by external influences. The rigid ideological stance of the Derg limited diplomatic flexibility and contributed to Ethiopia’s isolation from Western nations and international financial institutions.
In conclusion, Ethiopia’s Cold War alignment reflects a shift from pragmatic cooperation under Haile Selassie to ideological commitment under the Derg. While the former sought modernization through Western partnerships, the latter pursued socialist transformation with Eastern bloc support. Both approaches had lasting impacts on Ethiopia’s political stability and international position.
2. Economic Policy (Expanded)
The economic systems implemented under Haile Selassie and the Derg reveal two fundamentally different visions of development: one gradual and mixed, the other radical and state-controlled.
During Haile Selassie’s reign, Ethiopia followed a mixed economic model. The government encouraged foreign investment and allowed private ownership, particularly in urban and commercial sectors. Foreign companies participated in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, contributing to economic growth and modernization. Infrastructure projects, such as road networks and educational institutions, expanded during this time.
However, the foundation of Ethiopia’s economy—agriculture—remained largely traditional and unequal. The land tenure system was highly exploitative. Land was concentrated in the hands of the aristocracy, the church, and the state, while peasants worked as tenants. They were required to pay high rents and had little security or incentive to improve productivity. This system is often described in Ethiopian history books as one of the most significant structural problems of the imperial era.
The failure to reform land ownership contributed directly to widespread dissatisfaction. Combined with famine, unemployment, and rising inequality, these conditions led to the 1974 revolution.
The Derg introduced sweeping economic reforms based on socialist principles. The most significant was the 1975 Land Reform Proclamation, which declared all rural land state property and abolished tenancy. This policy aimed to empower peasants and eliminate feudal exploitation. Urban land and extra houses were also nationalized.
In addition, the Derg nationalized major industries, banks, insurance companies, and large-scale enterprises. The government introduced central planning, controlling production, pricing, and distribution. Peasant associations and cooperatives were established to organize rural production.
While these reforms initially gained support, especially among peasants, they soon faced serious challenges. State control reduced efficiency and innovation. Farmers often lacked incentives to produce beyond subsistence levels. Government policies such as collectivization and forced resettlement disrupted traditional farming systems and led to social unrest.
These economic difficulties were compounded by natural disasters, particularly the devastating Ethiopian Famine of 1983-1985, which exposed weaknesses in both policy and governance. Food shortages, combined with war and poor distribution systems, resulted in widespread suffering.
In conclusion, Haile Selassie’s economic policy promoted modernization but failed to address inequality, while the Derg’s socialist reforms sought equality but often undermined productivity and stability. Together, these periods illustrate the complexity of economic development and the challenge of balancing fairness with efficiency.
References:
1. A History of Modern Ethiopia 1855-1991 by Bahru Zewde
2. Layers of time: A History of Ethiopia by Paul B. Henze
3. The Horn of Africa: State formation and decay by Christopher Clapham
4.Ethiopian Ministry of Education History Textbooks (Grade 11 & 12)