Congo and the Cold War

INDEX

• Context: How was the world-wide situation back then? What was the situation in Congo?
• Relation: How did the Cold War and the Congo Revolution come together?
• Consequences: Effects of the implication of superpowers in the Congo Revolution.
• Summary: Timeline and conclusions.

World Context: Facing the Cold War.

The Democratic Congo.

Known for its mining resources. It is the world's largest producer of cobalt ore. It is also one of the main producers of copper and diamonds. (1)

In the 1960's, when it gained its independence, it was the second most industrialized country of Africa.

About 250 ethnic groups can be found in the DRC, and they actually make up about 45% of the population nowadays. (1)

The main languages are French, Kituba, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala. (1)

World Superpowers: USSR.

World Superpowers: USA

A Brief History of the Congo.

(3)

Berlin Conference, 1885

Congo Free State: Discovered by Belgians, and was under the rule of King Leopold II of Belgium from 1877 to 1908

"While a preference for long sentences is common to most Communist writing, a distinct vocabulary provides the more easily recognized feature of the “Communist Language.” Even a superficial reading of an article written by a Communist or a conversation with one will probably reveal the use of some of the following expressions: integrative thinking, vanguard, comrade, hootenanny, chauvinism, book-burning, syncretistic faith, bourgeois-nationalism, jingoism, colonialism, hooliganism, ruling class, progressive, demagogy, dialectical, witch-hunt, reactionary, exploitation, oppressive, materialist."

Rather chillingly, the pamphlet also warned that Communists revealed themselves if and when they talked about “McCarthyism,” “violation of civil rights,” “racial or religious discrimination” or “peace.”" (2)

Industrialization

Extreme work conditions for locals.

Huge population decrease.

Belgian Congo (1908-1960)

Population rose.

Player in the two World Wars

WWI: Fought against Germany

Dual court system

WWII: Source of income, fought against Italy in Ethiopia.

Congo: A revolution boiling.

After the war: Countries struggling, Belgium not paying much attention to the Belgian Congo.

Force Publique

Political parties started emerging.

Partie Solidaire Africain

ABAKO

(Alliance des Bankongo)

After WWII and the creation of

the Atomic Bomb, a war didn't

seem possible, and meant huge

losses. So, if they couldn't fight

in a direct armed conflict,

what could they do?

Congo and the Cold War.

"Democratic Republic of Congo Profile - Timeline - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Lumumba#Deposition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Crisis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/14chapter7.shtml

http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/congolese-win-independence-belgian-empire-1959-60

(1)http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/República_Democrática_del_Congo

(2)http://www.openculture.com/2013/07/how_to_spot_a_communist.html

http://www.openculture.com/2014/11/the-red-menace-a-striking-gallery-of-anti-communist-propaganda.html

(3)http://www.openculture.com/2013/07/louis-armstrong-plays-trumpet-at-the-egyptian-pyramids-dizzy-gillespie-charms-a-snake-in-

The war after Lumbada's death, US implication and International outrage.

1960: A Crisis ensues

USSR Involvement

The gaining of Independence

1959: Constant Riots.

The Congo Crisis finally ended in 1965, after the help of UN troops to regain Katanga and a change of President, for a new, dictator-inforcer one: Mobutu Sese Seko. He renames the country Zaire and runs a dictatorship for some years, until 1997.

Katanga declares independence from Congo and is supported by Belgians.

Riot in Leopoldville was blamed on the ABAKO, which caused even more unrest. The Bakongo people cause turnmoil, and Belgium struggles and can't control the Congo.

July 5th: Force Publique forces rebel against their generals, who were still white and Belgians, reason by which Belgian troops return.

Now, Civil War in the Congo is talked about in the UN, and force is decided to be used if needed.

The USSR provides weaponry for the fight against Katanga. This increases the suspicions of the US, and Lumumba becomes, "a much bigger" threat.

After Lumbada's death there were many outrages, being this the killing of an important figure for Communist supporters and people seeking independence. In fact, some people blame the US for Lumbada's murder, and present the CIA as the one in charge of it.

1961: Assasination of Lumumba

UN involvement.

1960: Belgo-Congolese Conference, Independence, election and beggining of a crisis.

Was the conflict in the Congo iniciated by the Cold War?

Lumumba asked for help to the UN for bringing troops for Belgium to remove their troops. But the UN had a problem because Lumumba wanted to use the troops he received to suppress Katanga by force, and the article 2 of the UN forbids it.

The President, Kasa-ubu, didn't agree wth Lumbada's way of acting and soviet vinculations, reason by which he was fired in September, 1960. Lumumba claimed that this was illegal, and this led to a huge division between political powers in the Congo. Finally, both Lumumba and Kasa-ubu were disposed form their possition, and Lumumba was held in a house surrounded by troops of the UN.

Did the aid from other countries turn out to be useful?

Belgium granted the independence to the Belgian Congo, and allowed elections to happen on June 30, 1960. Patrice Lumumba was elected Prime Minister, and Joseph Kasa-buvu was elected president. His speech and his behaviours mark him as a possible communist, and therefore a threat for the US.

July 22 : The security council affirmed that Congo should be an unitary state so they give permission to the troops to be in Katanga, but they do not allow them to act against anyone. The troops are sent in order to keep the order in Congo.

In December 1, he was allegedly smugling out of his residence withot authorization, planning to gather his supporters and cause riots. For this reason, he was now arrested. This led to protests from the USSR, and even from other members of the UN.

Why was this bipolar scheme a situation to take advantage of?

However, Lubumba wasn't searching for this type of aid, and therefore turned to the USSR, searching weaponry.

In January 17th, Lumumba was taken to Katanga and was excecuted by Belgian troops. His death was announced three weeks lately, allegedly done by outraged villagers.