Haile Selassie - The Last Emperor of Ethiopia (History)

He was worshipped as a living god by millions. He defied Mussolini and survived fascist invasion. He stood before the League of Nations and warned the world about Hitler - and they ignored him. He became the symbol of African independence and inspired a global religious movement.

And then his own people overthrew him, locked him in his palace, and he died under mysterious circumstances.

Haile Selassie's story is one of the most extraordinary - and controversial - in 20th century history.

Born into Ethiopian royalty in 1892, Haile Selassie navigated a world where ancient traditions collided with modern geopolitics. He modernized Ethiopia, abolished slavery, brought his country into the League of Nations, and positioned Ethiopia as a beacon of African independence in an era of colonial domination.

Then came 1935. Mussolini's Italy invaded with tanks, planes, and poison gas. Ethiopia fought back with courage but outdated weapons. As his country burned, Selassie fled to Geneva and delivered one of history's most prophetic speeches to the League of Nations: "It is us today. It will be you tomorrow." He warned that fascist aggression unchecked would lead to world war.

They laughed at him. Literally. Italian journalists jeered in the assembly hall.

Two years later, Hitler invaded Poland, and suddenly Selassie's warning didn't seem so dramatic anymore.

But here's where his story gets complicated: Was he a visionary leader who modernized Ethiopia, or a feudal monarch who clung to absolute power? A symbol of African dignity, or a ruler whose policies caused famine? A revolutionary reformer, or a man who executed political opponents? The father of Rastafarianism never asked for divine status - but did little to discourage it. He spoke of unity while presiding over ethnic tensions. He modernized while maintaining feudalism.

His legacy is impossible to simplify - which is exactly what makes it worth exploring.

🎯 What You'll Discover:

Haile Selassie's rise from prince to emperor
Ethiopia's modernization and entry into the League of Nations
The Italian invasion of 1935: poison gas and desperate resistance
His legendary 1936 League of Nations speech
Five years of exile and the fight to reclaim his throne
Liberation in 1941 and return to power
Post-WWII Ethiopia: modernization vs feudalism
Founding the Organization of African Unity
How he became a god to Rastafarians
The 1974 famine and growing discontent
The communist revolution and his overthrow
Mysterious death and decades of missing remains
Complex legacy: hero, tyrant, or both?

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The historical information presented in this video has been researched and compiled from various online sources, Ethiopian records, League of Nations archives, and scholarly research about Haile Selassie and modern Ethiopian history. His legacy remains highly controversial and debated. The circumstances of his death remain disputed. Viewers are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives, including Ethiopian, Italian, and international sources.

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