Western powers indirectly facilitated Amhara dominance through 19th-century geopolitics and 20th-century Cold War realpolitik. By supporting the centralized Ethiopian state to counter regional rivals and secure the Suez Canal route, the West inadvertently entrenched Amhara political and cultural hegemony.
The indirect role of Western powers manifested in three main ways:
1. Recognition and Armament
During the Scramble for Africa, European powers (Britain, France, and Italy) required local allies to secure their colonial interests. They supplied Emperor Menelik II with modern firearms to expand the Ethiopian empire southwards. This western weaponry allowed the Amhara-led imperial core to conquer and incorporate various ethnic groups (such as the Oromo, Sidama, and Somali) into a centralized, Amhara-dominated state.
2. Diplomatic Legitimacy and State-Building
Following the historic Battle of Adwa in 1896, Western powers formally recognized the Ethiopian state. By granting sovereignty and defining international borders, European powers legitimized the imperial rule of Amhara monarchs. The West engaged with the Ethiopian crown as the sole representative of the nation, ignoring the autonomy of marginalized indigenous groups.
3. Haile Selassie's Patronage and Funding
During the 20th century, Western powers (primarily the United States) heavily funded and militarily backed Emperor Haile Selassie's regime. In exchange for access to military bases and regional stability, the US supplied arms, economic aid, and political backing. This alliance strengthened the centralized state's capacity to enforce "Amharization"—a deliberate policy of elevating the Amhara language, culture, and Orthodox religion above all other ethnic identities in the country.