Nationalism: Patrice Lumumba's Death In The Congo

Death in the Congo

1. Nationalism was growing in Africa after World War II when Europe lost its power. New Congolese politicians began to further encourage independence, which put Belgium in a slight panic. The weakening of Europe was obvious when once powerful European countries such as Britain began surrendering their control over countries. Belgium began reckoning with their loss, and quickly surrendered. The Congo became independent from Belgium.

2. Tshombe wanted out from under Lumumba’s nationalist verdict, and declared Katanga’s independence. Congo had begun falling to pieces, and the Europeans wanted to position themselves in the Congo while this occurred. Tshombe needed Belgium’s military’s help, so the two backed each other. In

Patrice Lumumba was a politician who launched the MNC, Mouvement National Congolais. He had many Nationalist ideas that he believed important. Patrice Lumumba genuinely wanted the Congo to have full independence. His determination and his personal charm made him influential. There was a Roundtable conference ran by the Belgian government to discuss elections and independence. Because Patrice Lumumba was incredibly influential, he was demanded to be at the Roundtable conference and was even released from prison. The elections would choose a house of representatives and a senate, which together would be the parliament. The president would also be elected, and then later be the one to decide the first prime minister. Fortunately, the MNC had the backing of the Congo, and won with majority. Ganshof van der Meersch initially did not want Lumumba to be prime minister, but eventually settled. Lumumba was officially the first prime minister of the

Eisenhower and Kennedy had very conflicting policies that were almost complete opposite from each other. Ike Eisenhower had a much more stern stance against communism and anyone who would align with the USSR. When Kennedy was elected, he wanted to transition to be more flexible and have a better foreign policy. Kennedy viewed Republican’s solutions uncreative. Previously, the only reason the U.S. care for the Congo was it’s large resource for uranium that could be used for nuclear weapons. Eisenhower gave very little thought to the Congo, and did the bare minimum for them.

6. Lumumba was displeased with the United Nation’s attempt to combat the aggressions occurring. Lumumba wanted to do anything he could to protect the Congo, and he also knew the USSR would what the U.N. would not. The USSR also did not have any influence in Africa, so they knew they could gain from this opportunity. Lumumba had asked for USSR’s help, so the USSR provided equipment like trucks and planes.

7. Dag Hammarskjold was the secretary general of the United Nations. Hammarskjold had strong anticolonial beliefs and had a reputation for peacekeeping. Lumumba and Hammarskjold had very similar interests for the Congo. Hammarskjold needed full trust from the Congo and Lumumba; however, Lumumba was unable to confront what the Congo was incapable of and did not have faith in the UN. Lumumba’s stubbornness was causing tension with Hammarskjold. Hammarskjold supported Lumumba’s belief but also wanted him