Haile Selassie vs Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif

Haile Selassie was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia at Addis Ababa, taking the throne name Haile Selassie I. The coronation was a grand ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries, symbolizing Ethiopia's sovereignty.

Italy invaded Ethiopia, and Haile Selassie's forces were defeated. He fled into exile in England, where he appealed to the League of Nations for help, famously denouncing the invasion and the failure of collective security.

Haile Selassie addressed the League of Nations in Geneva, condemning Italy's use of chemical weapons and the League's failure to protect Ethiopia. His speech became a symbol of African resistance and international justice.

Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia with British forces, leading a campaign to liberate the country from Italian occupation. He was restored to the throne, reestablishing Ethiopian independence.

Haile Selassie promulgated a new constitution that established a bicameral parliament and limited civil rights. While it allowed for some representation, it maintained imperial authority and did not create a fully democratic system.

Haile Selassie was overthrown by the Derg, a Marxist military junta, after a period of famine and unrest. He was placed under house arrest and died in 1975 under disputed circumstances, ending the Solomonic dynasty.

Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif became Sultan of Morocco after the death of his brother Moulay al-Rashid. He inherited a fragmented kingdom and immediately began consolidating power through military campaigns and political purges.

Moulay Ismail established the Black Guard, a slave army composed of sub-Saharan Africans. This force became the backbone of his military, used to suppress rebellions and enforce his authority across Morocco, numbering up to 150,000 men.

Moulay Ismail undertook the massive construction of Meknes as his imperial capital, building palaces, mosques, and fortifications. The project employed thousands of slaves and prisoners, creating a monumental city that rivaled Versailles in scale.

Moulay Ismail captured the European-held Atlantic ports of Mehdia, Larache, and Tangier from the Spanish and English. These victories expelled foreign powers from the Moroccan coast and secured trade routes for the sultanate.

Moulay Ismail exchanged ambassadors with King Louis XIV of France, seeking an alliance against Spain. The negotiations failed due to disagreements over trade and the release of Christian captives, but established diplomatic precedents.

Moulay Ismail launched brutal campaigns against Berber tribes in the Atlas Mountains who resisted his rule. He destroyed villages, executed thousands, and imposed heavy taxes, but the revolts continued throughout his reign, draining resources.

Moulay Ismail died after a 55-year reign, leaving a power vacuum. His numerous sons fought a civil war for succession, leading to decades of instability and the decline of the Alaouite dynasty's power.