answer:
from the mid-19th century, ethiopia was an aggregate of semi-independent kingdoms, which were presided over by the ethiopian emperor. the 1889 death of emperor yohannes iv was followed by great disorder as his potential successors fought for ascendancy. the italians had supported sahle miriam of shewa (shoa) in the years prior to this, supplying him with modern weaponry, ammunition, and funds that him acquire military strength. he used that strength to incorporate smaller ethiopian kingdoms under his rule and, after yohannes iv’s death, to secure his claim to the title of emperor, taking the name menilek ii.