The Tensions of the Cold War
When World War II finally ended, two countries, the Soviet Union and
America, emerged as super powers. The previous super powers (France &
England) were more or less destroyed from the war. While the
countries where the war did not take place, the Soviet Union and
America, their economy was hence boosted noticeably. Right after
World War II however, numerous events led the two super powers into a
conflict. The Cold War was an era in which the Soviet Union and
America clashed with one another in order to spread what they believed
was the ideal method of regime. Through out the 50’s and 70’s, the
Soviet Union, believed that communism was the truly the best approach
of governing people in a nation. However, from events such as the
Manifest Destiny, it was easily fathomed that America considered
democracy the key to a successful country. So, both nations created a
type of colony in various countries across the world in order to
prevent the spread of the other method of government. Zaire was one
of the many countries that America had their palms on.
In May 1960, Zaire had its first election and a man named Patrice
Lumumba was elected prime minister. However, a province, Katanga,
seceded from the country, with the help of Belgium's backing. Lumumba
turned to the Soviet Union, the enemy of his country's former colonial
masters, for assistance. This was a fatal mistake, for it provided
America’s President, Dwight Eisenhower, an excuse to move against
Lumumba. Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba was viewed as a communist
since he was now allied to the Soviet Union. Thus, this made him a
Cold War opponent. America had to act quickly so that it could
prevent Zaire from becoming a communist country. The CIA recruited
Mobutu Sese Seko, (Lumumba’s private secretary and later the chief of
staff of the army), to displace and then replace the prime minister.
To replace the prime minister, the CIA simply planned to kill
When World War II finally ended, two countries, the Soviet Union and
America, emerged as super powers. The previous super powers (France &
England) were more or less destroyed from the war. While the
countries where the war did not take place, the Soviet Union and
America, their economy was hence boosted noticeably. Right after
World War II however, numerous events led the two super powers into a
conflict. The Cold War was an era in which the Soviet Union and
America clashed with one another in order to spread what they believed
was the ideal method of regime. Through out the 50’s and 70’s, the
Soviet Union, believed that communism was the truly the best approach
of governing people in a nation. However, from events such as the
Manifest Destiny, it was easily fathomed that America considered
democracy the key to a successful country. So, both nations created a
type of colony in various countries across the world in order to
prevent the spread of the other method of government. Zaire was one
of the many countries that America had their palms on.
In May 1960, Zaire had its first election and a man named Patrice
Lumumba was elected prime minister. However, a province, Katanga,
seceded from the country, with the help of Belgium's backing. Lumumba
turned to the Soviet Union, the enemy of his country's former colonial
masters, for assistance. This was a fatal mistake, for it provided
America’s President, Dwight Eisenhower, an excuse to move against
Lumumba. Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba was viewed as a communist
since he was now allied to the Soviet Union. Thus, this made him a
Cold War opponent. America had to act quickly so that it could
prevent Zaire from becoming a communist country. The CIA recruited
Mobutu Sese Seko, (Lumumba’s private secretary and later the chief of
staff of the army), to displace and then replace the prime minister.
To replace the prime minister, the CIA simply planned to kill