Historically, Ethiopian accounts have focused on the succession of rulers, especially those from Amhara and Tigray, often equated with "Abyssinian culture." This left little attention for the many other ethnic groups within the country. Ethiopian history often highlights the country's unique position as a symbol of African resilience, having defeated European colonizers and maintained a strong Christian tradition. Some view Ethiopia as an inclusive, multicultural nation, while others see it as defined by a single cultural identity centered on its Christian and Amhara roots.

For most of its history, Ethiopia operated under a decentralized governance system. Until Emperor Haile Selassie took power in 1930, regional rulers held significant power, sharing authority with the imperial throne. Regions like Gondar, Wello, Gojjam, Showa, and Tigray often rivaled the central government. On the southern and eastern borders, kingdoms such as Jimma, Wolayta, Kaffa, and the Afar Sultanate maintained autonomy, as did the Islamic center in Harar, which played a notable role in historical conflicts. Although these areas were incorporated into the Ethiopian state by the late 19th century, they retained much of their local governance and culture.

A dual authority structure existed for centuries, with regional rulers holding significant influence alongside the Emperor. In practice, Ethiopia was somewhat "federal" in nature, with the emperor as a unifying figure and regional lords exercising decentralized power. Local rulers contributed troops and taxes to the Emperor, though they enjoyed autonomy in managing local trade, resources, and military forces. This balance between the center and the regions persisted until Haile Selassie’s reign, which aimed to centralize power and diminish regional autonomy. The nobility's independent armies were dissolved, and a modern national army took their place, centralizing control over taxation and administration.

The Ethiopian Student Movement of the 1960s brought fresh perspectives to history, advocating for national liberation. These new voices critiqued the central government and highlighted regional identities, casting Ethiopia as a "prison house of nationalities" under Menelik’s empire-building. Yet, this approach sometimes lacked historical balance, as it emphasized regional grievances over shared history.

The advent of the 20th century marked a move towards full centralization. Menelik II's successors, especially Haile Selassie, consolidated power by reducing the influence of regional leaders and introducing the 1931 Constitution, which further centralized authority. This was accelerated by the Derg regime, which intensified control. Consequently, Ethiopia's once-decentralized system transformed into a highly centralized state, bringing various challenges. Newly incorporated regions with diverse languages, religions, and traditions found their identities sidelined in favor of a single national culture. This gave rise to the "nationalities question," as marginalized communities began demanding representation and autonomy.

Throughout Ethiopian history, unity and autonomy have coexisted, with regional rulers exercising significant local power and the Emperor embodying a centralized authority. This delicate balance often resulted in peaceful coexistence but occasionally led to conflict, as local leaders resisted centralization efforts. In the 20th century, however, centralizing policies sparked new forms of resistance and demands for reform, ultimately reshaping the Ethiopian state.