CONGO/ZAIRE P1Q5
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND:
Initially a Belgian colony
It gained independence on the 30 June 1960
Initially a man called Patrice Lumumba was head of the government but was seen as
a communist threat = ASSASINATED
Joseph Mobutu put in power.
USA was determined to ensure the Congo did not fall to the Soviets= COMMUNISM.
- President Kennedy supported Mobutu in order to prevent this.
PARAGRAPH 1:
Mobutu claimed that he seized power in 1965 because he wanted to:
‘prevent the Congo from sliding into chaos and corruption’
Through the COUP DE’TAT
From the time of its independence and the assassination of its prime minister the
Congo had been embroiled in Civil war.
His time of leadership was also in the context of the Cold War
- This factor helped him stay in power for so long and return the Congo to
initial glory
- this was due to the fact that the USA invested in the Congo to prevent the
Soviet gaining control and the spreading of Communism.
(From the periods of 1965-1970 Mobutu implemented laws and policies that were focused
on the social, political and economic sectors of the Congo. Mubutu ruled ruthlessly and by
decree which initial lead to his success. By 1970 majority of Western powers supported and
abided by the laws implemented by Mobutu.) + PREVENTION OF COMMUNISM.
PARAGRAPH 2: ECONOMIC+ POLITICAL
STRATEGY
Determined to restore power and control of the central government in Leopoldville
he set out to create a ’new Congo’
He acted ruthlessly to supress disorder.
Within 5 years he managed to implement laws throughout majority of the country.
ECONOMIC STRAGEGIES WERE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE.
He invested in large-scale projects then initially benefited the economic sector of the
Congo.
These projects caught the attention of the large foreign investors =
led to large revenue to the Congo as well as for Mobutu himself.
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND:
Initially a Belgian colony
It gained independence on the 30 June 1960
Initially a man called Patrice Lumumba was head of the government but was seen as
a communist threat = ASSASINATED
Joseph Mobutu put in power.
USA was determined to ensure the Congo did not fall to the Soviets= COMMUNISM.
- President Kennedy supported Mobutu in order to prevent this.
PARAGRAPH 1:
Mobutu claimed that he seized power in 1965 because he wanted to:
‘prevent the Congo from sliding into chaos and corruption’
Through the COUP DE’TAT
From the time of its independence and the assassination of its prime minister the
Congo had been embroiled in Civil war.
His time of leadership was also in the context of the Cold War
- This factor helped him stay in power for so long and return the Congo to
initial glory
- this was due to the fact that the USA invested in the Congo to prevent the
Soviet gaining control and the spreading of Communism.
(From the periods of 1965-1970 Mobutu implemented laws and policies that were focused
on the social, political and economic sectors of the Congo. Mubutu ruled ruthlessly and by
decree which initial lead to his success. By 1970 majority of Western powers supported and
abided by the laws implemented by Mobutu.) + PREVENTION OF COMMUNISM.
PARAGRAPH 2: ECONOMIC+ POLITICAL
STRATEGY
Determined to restore power and control of the central government in Leopoldville
he set out to create a ’new Congo’
He acted ruthlessly to supress disorder.
Within 5 years he managed to implement laws throughout majority of the country.
ECONOMIC STRAGEGIES WERE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE.
He invested in large-scale projects then initially benefited the economic sector of the
Congo.
These projects caught the attention of the large foreign investors =
led to large revenue to the Congo as well as for Mobutu himself.
