Opposition to Haile Selassie

Opposition to Haile Selassie relied largely of internal administration of his country. While Haile Selassie made attempt to modernize the country and brought to global power since Italy's occupation in 1936–41, the later administration met with negative public attitude especially among educated people in universities and peasants.

Several coups made to overthrow Haile Selassie government notability in 1960 and finally in the 1974 revolution. One of the most notorious events that degraded Haile Selassie reputations include overtaxing system in Gojjam since 1930, famines in Wollo and Tigray since 1958, and autocratic land seizure.

The first student movements were held in 1965 at Addis Ababa University seeking land redistribution and abolition of feudalism in the Ethiopian Empire. Other aspect includes the Eritrean War of Independence in 1962, seeking Eritrea autonomy from the Ethiopian imperial government.