Short Biography of Tewodros II

Tewodros II, original name Kassa, (born c. 1818—died April 13, 1868, Magdela, Ethiopia),
emperor of Ethiopia (1855–68) who has been called Ethiopia’s first modern ruler. Kassa Hailu
was born in Qwara west of Gondar, his father was an Amhara nobleman of the Qwara district
named Hailegiorgis Woldegiorgis.

When Kassa was very young, his parents divorced and Woizero Atitegeb moved back to Gondar
taking her son with her. Not long after their departure, however, news reached them that Kassa's
father had died. Popular legend states that Kassa's paternal relatives split up the entire paternal
inheritance, leaving young Kassa and his mother with nothing and in very dire circumstances
financially. In hard times, his enemies came up with a rum our that his wife was reduced to
selling Kosso. There is actually no evidence that Woizero Atitegeb was ever a Kosso seller.
Kassa's youth was probably not lived lavishly, but he was far from a pauper. Kassa was sent to
school at the convent of Tekla Haymanot, between Gondar and Lake Tana. He took refuge until
it was sacked by a defeated, Dejazmatch Wube, who by burning and dismembering the children,
took vengeance on their victorious parents. Kassa escaped and fled to the protection of his
kinsman, Dejazmach Kenfu Hailu, probably his uncle but believed to be his half-brother.

He continued his formal education and became familiar with the Bible and Ethiopian literature.
He also received instruction on the techniques of Ethiopian warfare from Kenfu. When Kenfu
died, and his two sons were defeated by another Dajazmach (earl), Dajazmach Goshu of Damot
and Gojjam, Kassa was forced to make another start in life, and offered his services to Goshu.

Kassa Hailu was born into a country rife with civil war, and he defeated many regional noblemen
and princes before becoming emperor during time known as the Zemene Mesafint or "Age of the
Princes".Kassa began his career in this era as a shifta or outlaw, but after amassing a sizable
force of followers, was able to not only restore himself to his father's previous fief of Qwara but
was able to control all of Dembiya. Moreover, he gained popular support by his benevolent
treatment of the inhabitants in the areas he controlled: according to Sven Rubenson, Kassa
"shared out captured grain and money to the peasants in Qwara and told them to buy hoes and
plant. This garnered notice of the nobleman in control of Gondar, Ras Ali II of Yejju of Wollo.
Empress Menen Liben Amede, wife of Emperor Yohannes III, and the mother of Ras Ali,
arranged for Kassa to marry her granddaughter, Tewabech Ali. She awarded him all of Ye Meru
Qemas in the hopes of binding him firmly to her son and herself. By 1852, he rebelled against
Ras Ali and, in a series of victories — Gur Amaba, Takusa, Ayshal, and Amba Jebelli — over
the next three years he handily defeated every army the Ras and the Empress sent against him. .
Following the defeat of Dejazmach Wube, Kassa was crowned Emperor by Abuna Salama III in
the church of Derasge Maryam on February 11, 1855.

He took the throne name of Tewodros II, attempting to fulfill a prophecy that a man named
Tewodros would restore the Ethiopian Empire to greatness and rule for 40 years. Not of noble
birth, Tewodros came to the throne through warfare against the feudal chiefs.

One of his first acts as emperor was to break up the provinces into smaller districts with
personally appointed governors, a move that angered many provincial nobles who saw their
status diminished. He also wanted to reorganize and modernize the army. To get the necessary
weapons, he demanded first that European missionaries and adventurers then living in Ethiopia
build him a cannon (successful after much trial and error), and then he brought in artisans,
especially arms makers, from England. Contemporary European accounts portray him as an
Ethiopian Peter the Great, both for his hot temper and cruelty and for his courage, ambition,
military genius, and interest in technology. His modernization program, however, failed. Several
incidents in the 1860s, including a letter to Queen Victoria that remained unanswered, led
Tewodros to feel insulted by England. Aided by rebellious nobles along the way, the British
force attacked Tewodros’s forces at Magdela on April 10, 1868. The emperor, realizing the
hopelessness of his position, committed suicide three days later.

Not only did he reunify the various Ethiopian kingdoms into one empire, but he also attempted to
focus loyalty around the government rather than the Ethiopian church, which he sought to bring
under royal control. He worked to abolish the feudal system and create a new nobility of merit,
dependent on the ruler alone. Although he failed in these aims, his example was ultimately
followed by his successors.
Tewodros leadership quality

Tewodros II, also known as Theodore II, was an Ethiopian emperor who lived from 1818 to
1868. Regarded as one of the most powerful and influential figures in Ethiopian history,
Tewodros II was a charismatic leader who possessed several crucial leadership qualities. Here
are some of the prominent ones:

1. Visionary: Tewodros II was a visionary leader, possessing great foresight and a deep
understanding of his position in the world. He had a clear sense of what he wanted to accomplish
and how he would accomplish it.

2. Courageous: Tewodros II was a brave and fearless leader who was not afraid to take risks for
the sake of his people. He did not shy away from challenges, and instead faced them head-on.

3. Determined: Tewodros II was extremely determined and persistent in his endeavors. He

refused to give up on his vision, even when faced with significant obstacles.

4. Charismatic: Tewodros II had a magnetic personality and was a gifted orator who had the
ability to inspire and motivate his followers. His charisma and charm made him highly respected
among his subjects.

5. Fairness and Justice: Tewodros II was known for his sense of justice and equality, which
helped him earn the loyalty of his people. He treated all individuals with honesty and fairness,
regardless of their social status.
6. Strategic Thinking: Tewodros II had strategic thinking skills, allowing him to react effectively
towards any situation. This quality gave him a significant edge over his enemies during battles.

7. Knowledgeable: Tewodros II was also regarded as a knowledgeable leader. Through reading

and studying, he developed expertise in statecraft, law, theology, military tactics, and foreign
policy, knowledge that helped him govern Ethiopia with efficiency and effectiveness.

8. Communicates effectively

Tewodros II was also a comminication effective leader.

Overall, Tewodros II was a remarkable leader who possessed several critical leadership qualities
that empowered him to guide his nation on a path of progress, justice and liberty.

The three leadership lessons from Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia(1855– 1868)

As I observed the replica of the canon and think about Emperor Tewodros II; however, I have
tried to pick up some of the leadership lessons from him:

Openness to learn and transform-

Emperor Tewodros II vision was to see a developed and strong Ethiopia, and he was open to
learn and share technologies  from Europeans’. Christianity was already in place in his country
for thousand years; therefore,  his quest was for technology. That is why he questioned the
mission of the ‘ white missionaries’ and requested them to facilitate rather developmental
collaboration and technological transfer between Ethiopia and Europe.

Vision- 

Emperor Tewodros II interest was to re-form  strong Ethiopia, and one of his strategies was re-
unifying the sub-regions. He had also tried to change the working culture of the people
specifically he tried to limit the number of service providers in the Church. In addition, he had a
plan to protect his country from foreign invasion. Among others; he tried to have the cannons
that were made in Gonder and tested in Wollo.

Role model and mentor-

His successors including Emperor Minilike II had got the protection of the emperor, and coached
and learned a lot from the best qualities of Emperor Tewoderos. This enabled his successors;
among others, to have wider view of Ethiopia. Emperor Yohannes IV did not keep silent when
Gonder was invaded by Sudan. Emperor Minilike II went to Adwa to block further expansion of
European powers in Tigray. A number of patriots leaders  emerged during WWII in the absence
of  Emperor Haileselase. Colonel Mengestu of the 20th century deflate Zuaid Bares ambition of
disintegrating the country. When PM Meles died Ethiopia did not become a failed state.  I think
this  ‘starfish type’  leadership formation culture is what maintains the country until today.
Reference

 http://www.angelfire.com/ny/ethiocrown/Tewod.html

 http://www.ethiopiantreasures.toucansurf.com/pages/tewodros.htm

 http://www.africanidea.org/emperor_tewdros.pdf

 Frederick Myatt, The March to Mandala (1970)

 Jesman, Czeslaw. "Theodore II of Ethiopia" History Today. (April 1972), pp. 255-26

 Anderson, Ruth. "A study of the career of Theodore II, Emperor of Ethiopia, 1855-
1868 /." Doctoral dissertation,

 Bahru Zewde, James Currey, A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991, London, 2002, pp. 64–
111 (ISBN 0-8214-1440-2) ; partie II (« Unification and Independence - 1855 - 1896 »), chap. I
(« The first response : Kasa - Tewodros »), page 27-42