Ethiopian modernization in XIX century

Could Ethiopia modernize itself in XIX century and become modern, industrialized country in XX? Maybe after Italo-Ethiopian War Russia could support Ethiopia? Or even British Expedition to Abbyssinia could trigger reforms in military or even society?
 

Don Quijote

Banned
If it's the 19th century, but after the war in 1896, they haven't got much time;). However continued Russian support, or maybe French support would be a big help. IOTL the Ethiopians appealed to both countries for help in 1896, but only Russia responded. Given that France already had interests in the region (Djibouti)and significant other colonial holdings in Africa, as well as threatening the British at that time ( Fashoda Incident), France could well take the chance to expand its influence in East Africa. In turn, the British might respond by offering Ethiopia a better deal to bring it into the British sphere of influence.

It's not going to be modern and industrialised, but it just might be capable of holding off the Italians. Also, a better relationship with the UK/France might lead to one of them intervening if the Italians try again in 1935, although they may not take the risk in this scenario.
 

LordKalvert

Banned
France and Russia gave them as much support as they needed to defeat the Italians. Further aid could come if the French choose not to confront the British at Fashoda but choose to back an Ethiopia-Mahdi alliance to fight a protracted war in the Sudan

Actually industrializing Ethiopia is going to be difficult given the transportation issues. The only Franco-Russian access comes through Djibouti, the Italians having control over Eritrea and Somalia and the British the Sudan and Kenya.

A change in the Italian attitude could be required. Perhaps have Rudini convince the King to abandon East Africa altogether and have them sell out to the French, Russians or Ethiopians. Any might do but the Anglo-French rivalry must continue for the French and Russians to have an interest in Ethiopia
 
Russia is Ethiopia's biggest friend because of religion. Japan is Ethiopia's other friend, since Ethiopia had a court faction which idolised Meiji-era Japan (Japanizers) and some Japanese likewise supported Ethiopia. There's also the whole African diaspora support for Ethiopia which could play a role, maybe with more black intellectuals being lured to Ethiopia and ending up helping the place out to some degree (I'm thinking of people like Ethiopian Air Force leader John C. Robinson, but I wonder how many other skilled individuals Ethiopia could attract given the will on Ethiopia's part and concurrent intellectual development in the African diaspora).

But Ethiopia has HUGE hurdles to overcome, like the feudal and decentralised system of the country--it was somewhat of a "hermit kingdom", and the whole Zemene Mesafint thing of the 18th and 19th century gave Ethiopia a pretty difficult hurdle to overcome from the get-go. Not to mention the very important need for a coast, meaning Eritrea must never be allowed to fall entirely into Italian (or French, or whoever's) hands. From my admittedly limited knowledge, the best bet is for the Japanizers to succeed over and over in Ethiopia. Ethiopia cannot pull a Meiji, but it can possibly end up Thailand and be a very important regional player (obviously, anything is better than Ethiopia's OTL outcome). The fact Japan and Russia aren't really good friends is a huge hurdle, because that means that Ethiopia has to be careful about how close their alliance and cooperation is.
 
I think Metalinvader 665 sums it up best. Perhaps the most acceptable POD would be an early end to the Zemane Mesafint era through, perhaps, someone flickered on the head by strange bats in passing; someone who could both lay claim to the central 'throne' while radically subjugating the regional polities.

Tend to think that not directly controlling coastal regions around the Bab al-Mandeb can actually favor such an Abyssinnia; the global imperial powers at that point seem to have been (especially after Suez opened, but even before) especially driven by control of areas that were either strategic or coastal; and I don't see the Ethiopian highlands have being much of either for them.

Likewise, I agree that a Meiji Restoration period thing wouldn't work out the same way for this alt-Abyssinia, but I do think it's not a matter of "maybe" pulling a Siam, but of an alt-Siam maybe pulling an Abyssinia.

Anything's better than Ethiopia's OTL outcome? At what point of its 'outcome' are you referring to? Or, are you saying the good thing for Africa was just to be colonized?

[Disclosure: the only video games I've played in years have been Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, and Victoria; and I enjoy playing from the Horn of Africa. But I've also tried to read actual history about the area.]
 
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