An Assassination's Long Shadow

How did Lumumba threaten former colonial powers?
Lumumba's speeches addressed the violence of colonialism. He urged Africans to benefit from their own wealth.
After independence, Congo faced turmoil due to inexperience in self-rule. Lumumba sought help from the Soviet Union.
The CIA arranged for Lumumba's assassination to prevent communism.
Lumumba was charismatic and nearly convinced his soldiers to spare him.
What challenges did Lumumba face?
The US and Belgium trying to sabotage him and stop him from gaining aid from the Soviet Union
What does the author argue is “the long shadow?”
The author argues that the long shadow is all the long term effects that would come as a consequence of the assassination of Lumumba.

Assassination of Patrice Lumumba
- democratically chosen leader of Democratic Republic of Congo
  - loaded w natural resources → colony of Belgium, but King Baudouin gives the territory its freedom after clashes w Congolese nationalists
- Lumumba’s speech
  - spoke about violence and humiliations of colonialism
    - Africans should also benefit from the great wealth in their soil
  - country in turmoil (no experience of self rule/treasury) → turned to Soviet Union
    - officials tried to stop (to prevent from communism) CIA ordered his assassination
- Had a lot of charisma and almost convinced the soldiers who were ordered to kill him let him go
Joseph Mobutu
- staged a coup and began a dictatorship with American support
  - gained a lot of wealth and aid from America → bled US dry
    - corrupt leader who only cared about his wants and needs, not the needs of Congo
- overthrown