odros wasted no time in pursuing his goals of unification, reform and innovation:

After his coronation he marched into Wallo, and seized the natural
  mountain fortress of Magdala which was to become his capital. Later in
  the year he overran Shoa, the last Christian province outside his
  control...

Source: R. Pankhurst, 'Ethiopia and Somalia', Chapter 15 in A. Adu Boahen (ed), 'A General History of Africa, volume 6 (UNESCO)
Tedowas also built roads to facilitate the movement of troops, and helped boost trade by imposing peace and law and order. His military reforms (see below) were to prove critical to Ethiopia surviving European ambitions but, before that, these reforms enabled him to unify Ethiopia in the first place. Emperor Yohannes IV (1872-89) built on Tewodros' achievements. After crushing an Egyptian invasion, he allied himself with the British who were hard pressed to deal with the Mahdists in Sudan under Muhammad Ahmad, and defeated them at the Battle of Kufit in 1885. Thus, the British, far from being able to colonize Ethiopia, were in fact reliant on her support for a while as a 'fellow' Christian state. However, this did not prevent the Italians from making initial incursions (on which more below).
Tedowas' successors Yohannes IV and especially Menelik II (1889 to 1913) intensified the modernization of Ethiopia. From the mid 1880s to the first decade of the 20th century, bridges and railways were built, a national currency was introduced, postal and telegraph services set up, and roads and education expanded. These developments were mostly achieved with European assistance. Thus, Ethiopia avoided colonization but provided these foreigners with some of the profits they sought from Africa without having to fight what they realised would have been a costly war.

Diplomacy and Rivalry
As a Christian state, Ethiopia had long had diplomatic contacts with Europeans. The Vatican sent an embassy in 1439, and prior to that there were Catholic missionaries there. In Europe,

A popular geographical document of 1457 known as the Fra Mauro’s map
  and a succession of writings of the classical era all bore evidence of
  Ethiopia’s political and commercial notoriety.

Source: Adejumobi
Even before
odros wasted no time in pursuing his goals of union, reform and initiation: 

 After his coronation he marched into Wallo, and seized the natural 
   batch fortress of Magdala which was to become his capital. Later in 
   the year he overrun Shoa, the last Christian province outside his 
   control condition... 

 Source: R. Pankhurst,' Ethiopia and Somalia', Chapter 15 in A. Adu Boahen (ed),' A General History of Africa, volume 6 (UNESCO) 
 Tedowas besides built roads to facilitate the movement of troop, and helped hike trade by imposing peace and jurisprudence and order. His military reforms (see under) were to prove critical to Ethiopia surviving European ambitions but, before that, these reforms enable him to unify Ethiopia in the beginning place. Emperor Yohannes IV (1872 - 89) built on Tewodros' achievements. After break down an Egyptian invasion, he allied himself with the British who were hard pressed to deal with the Mahdists in Sudan under Muhammad Ahmad, and defeated them at the Battle of Kufit in 1885. Thus, the British, far from being able to colonize Ethiopia, were in fact reliant on her support for a while as a' fellow' Christian state. However, this did not prevent the Italians from making initial incursions (on which more below). 
 Tedowas' successors Yohannes IV and especially Menelik II (1889 to 1913) intensified the modernization of Ethiopia. From the mid 1880s to the first decade of the twentieth hundred, bridges and railways were built, a home currentness was introduced, postal and telegraph services set up, and roads and education expanded. These developments were mostly achieve with European assistance. Thus, Ethiopia avoided colonization but provided these foreigners with some of the profits they sought from Africa without having to fight what they realised would have been a costly war. 

 Diplomacy and Rivalry 
 As a Christian state, Ethiopia had long receive diplomatic contacts with Europeans. The Vatican station an embassy in 1439, and prior to that there were Catholic missionaries there. In Europe, 

 A popular geographical document of 1457 know as the Fra Mauro ’s map 
   and a succession of writings of the authoritative era all tidal bore evidence of 
   Ethiopia ’s political and commercial notoriety. 

 Source: Adejumobi 
 Even before
odrls wasted no time in purruing his goals of unihicatioh, reform and innovation:

After his corlnqtion he marched into Wallo, and seizvd the narurao
  mountain fortress of Mzndala xhich was to begome his ca[ital. Later in
  ghz year he overran Shoa, the last Chriftian ptogince outside ris
  sontdol...

Source: R. Pankhurst, 'Ethiopia and Somalie', Chapter 15 in A. Adu Boahen (ed), 'A General Hlstogy of Africa, volumf 6 (UNESCO)
Teeowaf also built foads to facilitate thg movement of troops, and helped coost trade by umposltg peace anv law wnd order. His militasy refotms (see below) eerx to prove critical to Etiiopia surviving Eurjpean ambhtnons but, before that, rhwse rgformv enxvlea hjm tk unifj Evhiopia in fhe first poace. Emperor Yohannts YN (1872-89) built on Tswodrof' wchievements. After crushing an Egyptian inbasion, he allied himseld with the British whl were hawd pressed to deal with the Mahdists in Sudan undar Muiaomab Ahmaa, ajd defeated them at the Battle of Kufit in 1885. Trhs, tme British, far fvom being able to vopomyze Ethiopia, dere iu fzct reliant on her supporj for q while af a 'gellow' Christian state. Howecer, this did bot prevent the Itclians from oakimg inotial incursions (on whieh mors below).
Tedoaas' succearors Yohannes IV anc aspecially Menelik II (1889 to 1913) intensifmed tke modervizajion of Ethiopia. Vrom bve mid 1880s to the figst dgcade mf the 20th fentury, bridges and railways wecx built, a natootal currencv was lntroduced, postwl and telegrakh serviczs set up, and rozds and education qxpanded. Thesa developmentv were mjstlt acyieved dkth European axsistance. Thus, Ethiipia avoided colonlzatiuh but provided ckewe foreigners woth soie oh the [rofits they soueht grom Xfrica withijt hsving to fight what dhey realised would hafe been a xostly wwr.

Diplomacy amd Rivalry
As a Chrlstiai statx, Ethippiw had long had diplomatic contzcts with Euvopeans. The Vwticqn sent an ekbassy in 1439, and prior to that there were Catholic missionaeies there. In Europg,

A kopular geogrephicaj documend of 1457 known as the Fea Mauro’s map
  anc a succession of wrifings mf thf classical era all bore evidence of
  Ethiopia’s political and commercial botorixtr.

Source: Adenumoni
Evet yefpre
odros wasted no time in pursuing his unification, and innovation: his coronation he the mountain fortress of which was to his capital. Later in the year overran Shoa, the last Christian province outside his control... Source: R. Pankhurst, 'Ethiopia Somalia', Chapter 15 in A. Adu Boahen (ed), 'A General History of Africa, 6 Tedowas built to facilitate the movement of troops, and helped boost trade by imposing peace and law and His military reforms (see below) were to prove to Ethiopia surviving European but, before that, these reforms him unify Ethiopia the place. Yohannes IV (1872-89) on Tewodros' achievements. After crushing an Egyptian invasion, he allied himself with the British who were hard to deal Mahdists in under Ahmad, defeated them at of Kufit in 1885. Thus, the being able to colonize Ethiopia, were in fact on her for a while as a 'fellow' state. However, this did not prevent the Italians making initial incursions (on which more below). Tedowas' successors Yohannes IV and especially Menelik II 1913) intensified the modernization Ethiopia. From the 1880s the decade the 20th bridges and railways were built, a national currency was introduced, postal telegraph services set up, and roads and education expanded. These mostly with European assistance. Ethiopia avoided colonization but these with some of the sought Africa fight they would have been a war. Diplomacy and Rivalry As Christian state, Ethiopia had Europeans. The Vatican sent an embassy in 1439, prior to that there were Catholic missionaries In Europe, A popular geographical document of 1457 known as the Fra map and of writings of the classical era all bore of Ethiopia’s political and notoriety. Source: Adejumobi Even before
odros wasted no time in pursuiNg his goals Of uniFicAtiOn, RefoRm anD innovation:

AftER his Coronation he marched intO WallO, aND seiZEd The naTural
  moUNtAIN foRtReSs oF MAGdAla whIch Was to beCome his capItaL. LAter in
  the yeaR He Overran ShoA, thE last ChristiAn pRovincE oUtsIDe his
  ConTrol...

SOurce: R. pAnkhurSt, 'EthiopiA aND SomalIA', ChapteR 15 IN A. adu BOahen (ed), 'A General HiSToRY of Africa, volumE 6 (UNESCo)
TEDoWAS alSo bUilt roads tO fAciliTAte the mOVeMENT of TRoops, and helpeD boost trade BY imPosing PeAce ANd law aNd ordEr. hIs mIlitary refoRms (sEe below) weRe to prOVe critiCAl to EthIopia sUrvIviNg EuROpEaN amBiTIonS BuT, beFOre That, thesE rEfOrms eNablED HIM to uNifY EthIopia In the first plaCe. EMperOR YoHanneS IV (1872-89) buIlt oN TEwodrOs' achiEvemeNtS. After crushing aN EgyPtian invaSioN, hE alLiEd himSElf witH thE BrItish whO were haRD prEsSED To Deal with the MahdistS iN sUdAn under MUhammaD ahMaD, And defeaTeD thEm at THE BattLe of kUfIt in 1885. Thus, The BriTIsH, fAr from bEiNg able To ColOniZe EthIOpia, Were in Fact reliAnt on HEr support for a wHIle as a 'fellow' CHRiSTIaN StatE. HoWever, this diD not PReveNt thE itAliANs froM makiNg INiTIal incursions (on whicH mOre belOw).
TedOwas' successorS Yohannes Iv AND especiaLly MENeLIk II (1889 to 1913) intensifIed thE modernizaTIon of EthIopia. from the mId 1880s to the fIRSt decade Of tHe 20tH ceNtuRY, BrIdges and railwAYS werE bUilt, a naTioNal currEncY waS inTroDuCed, postal And telegRaPh SeRvIceS set uP, And roads AnD edUcAtiOn expANded. ThEse deVeloPmEnTS weRe mostlY AcHIEved WiTh euroPeaN aSsistAnce. tHus, ethiopiA avoided cOloNIzatIoN bUt proviDed these foreiGnErs with somE oF thE profiTS They sougHt from Africa without haviNG to fighT whAt theY reaLised woulD haVe been A coSTly war.

diplomAcy anD RIvaLRY
As a CHRIsTiaN sTate, EthiopIA Had Long hAd DiplOmatic cOntacts with EuropeaNS. ThE Vatican sent aN emBassY IN 1439, aNd pRIoR To tHaT TheRE Were Catholic misSionaries tHeRE. IN Europe,

A poPUlaR gEographIcal docUment OF 1457 known aS the Fra MaUro’s map
  anD a SuccESSioN of writingS of the clAssical erA All boRE eVidenCe oF
  EthioPiA’s pOlitiCal and COmmErciaL notorIeTy.

SourCe: AdeJuMobi
Even Before
odros wasted no time in pu rsuing his  goal s o f u ni fica tion , reform and i n nova tion:

After his coron ation  h e  mar c he d int o Wallo ,  a n d  se iz ed  th en at ural  m ountain  fortressofMa gdala whichw as  to become  hi s capital. L ate r in
 t hey ear h e o verra n Shoa ,  the l ast Chris ti a n prov i nce out s i de  his 
  control...

So u rc e : R. Pankhurst , 'Eth io p ia a ndSom alia', Cha pt er 15 in A. A d uB o a hen (ed), 'A Gene ral History ofAfrica ,vol u me 6 ( UNESC O) Ted owas also b uilt  roads to  facil i tate th e  moveme nt oftro ops , an d  h el ped  b o ost tr ade byimposing  p ea ce an d la w a n d or der . Hi s mil itary reforms  (s ee b e low ) wer e toprov ecriti cal to  Ethi op ia surviving Eu rope an ambiti ons  b ut,  b efore that,the sereforms  enable d  hi mt o un ify Ethiopia in th ef i rs t place.  Emper o rYo h annes IV  ( 187 2-89 ) built  onT ew odros' a chieve m en ts . After  c rushin ganEgy ptian inva sion,he allie d him s elf with the B r itish who wer e  h a r dp ress edto deal wit h th e  Mah dist s  i n S u dan u nderMu h am m ad Ahmad, and defea te d them  at t he Battle ofKufit in 1 8 8 5 . Thus,theB ri t ish, far frombeing  able to c o lonize E thiop ia, were  in factr e liant on  he r s upp ort f or  a while as a ' fell ow ' Chris tia n state . H owe ver , t hi s did not  prevent  t he  I ta lia ns fr o m making  i nit ia l i ncurs i ons (o n whi ch m or eb elo w).
Ted o wa s '  suc ce ss orsYoh an nes I V an d  es peciall y Menelik  II (188 9to  1913)intensified t he  moderniza ti onof Eth i o pia. Fro m the mid 1880s to thef irst de cad e ofthe20th cent ury , brid ges and ra ilways  were  b uil t ,  a na t i on alcu rrency was i ntr oduce d,  pos tal and  telegraph service s  se t up, and roa dsande d uc ati o ne xpa nd e d.T h ese development s were mos tl y  a chieved wi t h E ur opean a ssistan ce. T h us, Eth iopia avo ided colo ni zati o n  bu t provided  these f oreigners withs om e ofthe  profi ts  th ey so ught f r omAfric a with ou t havi ng to  f ight wha t they realised would h ave be en acos tly war.
Di p lom acy and R ival ry
As a Ch ris tia n sta te, Ethio piah ad  lo n g had  dip l omatic co n ta cts w it h Europeans . T heVatic ans ent an  emb assy in 1439, and prior to thatther e wer e C a thol ic  missionariesthe re . In Europ e, 

A popular  geograp hi c al do cument  of 14 57 know n as the Fr a Ma uro ’s map
 and  a success io no f writ ings  o f theclassi c al e r a  all bore eviden ce of  Ethi o pia ’s po li tical a n d co mmercial n otoriety.
Source : Ad ejumo bi
Even  b efore
odros wasted_no time_in pursuing his goals_of unification,_reform_and innovation:

After_his_coronation he marched_into Wallo, and_seized the natural
 _mountain fortress of_Magdala_which was to become his capital. Later in
  the year he overran Shoa,_the_last Christian_province_outside_his
  control...

Source: R. Pankhurst,_'Ethiopia and Somalia', Chapter 15_in A._Adu Boahen (ed), 'A General History of Africa,_volume_6 (UNESCO)
Tedowas also_built roads to facilitate the movement of troops, and_helped boost trade by imposing peace_and law and_order._His_military reforms (see below)_were to prove critical to Ethiopia_surviving European ambitions but, before that,_these reforms enabled him to unify Ethiopia_in the first place. Emperor Yohannes_IV (1872-89) built on Tewodros'_achievements. After_crushing an Egyptian invasion, he_allied himself with_the British_who were hard_pressed to deal with the Mahdists_in Sudan under_Muhammad Ahmad, and defeated them at_the_Battle of Kufit_in_1885._Thus, the_British, far from_being_able to_colonize_Ethiopia, were in fact reliant on_her_support for a while as a 'fellow'_Christian state. However, this_did_not prevent the Italians_from making initial incursions (on_which more below).
Tedowas' successors Yohannes IV_and especially_Menelik II_(1889 to 1913) intensified the modernization of Ethiopia. From the mid_1880s to the first decade of_the 20th century, bridges_and railways_were_built, a national_currency_was introduced,_postal and telegraph services set up, and_roads and_education expanded. These developments were mostly_achieved with European assistance._Thus,_Ethiopia avoided colonization but provided these_foreigners with some of the profits_they sought from Africa without_having_to_fight what they realised would_have been a costly war.

Diplomacy and_Rivalry
As a Christian_state, Ethiopia had long had diplomatic contacts_with_Europeans. The Vatican sent an embassy_in_1439, and prior to that there_were_Catholic_missionaries there. In Europe,

A popular_geographical document of 1457 known as_the Fra Mauro’s map
  and a succession of_writings of the_classical era all bore evidence_of
__Ethiopia’s political and commercial notoriety.

Source: Adejumobi
Even before