Moise Tshombe

Over a period from 1960-1965, the first Republic of the Congo experienced a period of serious crisis. There was a terrible war for power that displayed senseless violence and the desperation to rule. There were many internal conflicts among the people. The country eventually gained independence from Belgium. For many countries this would be a time for celebration. Unfortunately for the people of the Congo this became a time to forget. Almost immediately after independence and the general elections

Between the 1880s and 1908, King Leopold II controlled the Congo Free State, using it mainly as a corporate venture rather than a colonial one. However, in 1908, a global outcry condemned his reign after reports erupted of widespread torture and death taking place in the territory’s rubber plantations by his agents. It was reported that those atrocities left millions of the Congolese dead or injured, and so, in 1908, Belgium annexed the territory into its own jurisdiction, creating the colony of

The DRC has experienced a long history of political and economic subjugation. The colonial rule under Belgium was marked with extensive violence and extreme exploitation of resources. This created a situation in which few Congolese had higher education or the necessary skills to run a modern government or an effective economy. Furthermore, the Congo’s traditional socioeconomic structures were disrupted long before the end of the colonial era. After the country finally gained independence, the state

near Leopoldville to the independent province of Katanga due to perceived threat to his security. Lumumba was “brutally beaten and tortured by Katangan and Belgian officers,” while travelling, and was placed under arrest while Katangan leader Moise Tshombe and his cabinet decided on a course of action. According to Belgian report, Patrice Lumumba was executed by firing squad on January 17, 1961 at age 35. Lumumba’s death was blamed on “enraged villagers”, however street protests were organized in

province of Katanga posed the greatest threat to Lumumba in this respect. Katanga was extremely important as it was the most wealthy and lucrative province in Congo, making it paramount to a successful Congolese nation. Unfortunately for Congo, Moise Tshombe, the leader of Katanga, did not see eye to eye with Lumumba. As demonstrated in film, the leaders of Katanga, with the support of Belgium, sought to secede from the independent Congo, resulting in a frenzy as the soldiers led a Katangese revolt

The Democratic Republic of Congo Formerly known as Zaire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) is located in the center of Africa bordered by nine different countries and one territory. (Lerner, 10) The bordering countries are Central African Republic and Sudan at the northern boarder, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi on the eastern boarder, Zambia and Angola directly South of DROC and Congo on the Western boarder. DROC is about one third the size of the United States; consisting

Why was process of decolonization peaceful in some countries and violent in others? (Before Independence) Brief historical background of colonization? (Historical Context) * What ignited calls for independence from colonial rule in __________ (your country)? A: Elections were held in rural areas(small cities) for reform and democratization of local government. 1958 was a year of vigorous political discussion at issues of society in Belgian Congo. The whole turning point of their advocacy for

1. Introduction to set the tone: Che Guevara, the Marxist leader of the Cuban delegation, delivered a speech in New York on 1964 before the General Assembly of the United Nations, in which he condemned the transgressions of imperialist US foreign policy. The first three paragraphs of his speech set the stage for a broader message, which exposed the hardships that imperialism had inflicted on Latin America. He did so by first welcoming the leaders of three new nations who, though not Latin American

Biographical Connection: Barbara Kingsolver was born on April 8, 1955 in Annapolis, Maryland and during her seventh and eight years of life she spent in the Republic of Congo where her parents worked there as healthcare officials. During her time there, she kept a diary documenting how different and curious everything was compared to Maryland. She was mostly fascinated how these people could live so peacefully and happily without certain necessities that she considered necessary, such as running

More than Words Since the late 1800’s, almost all of Africa had been under European colonial rule, but this changed drastically in 1960. Sixteen African nations gained their independence that year, including the former Belgian Congo, which became the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 30. One of the key personalities that made this possible was Patrice Lumumba, who experienced widespread support in gaining independence and became the first Prime Minister of the DROC. However, he lost