The Congo Crisis
A Reexamination (1960–1965)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13036718 |
|---|---|
| Authors | William T Mountz (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 151-165 |
| Publication date | 2014-05-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Journal of the Middle East and Africa (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2152-0844 • E-ISSN: 2152-0852 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/21520844.2014.930712 |
| OpenAlex | W1975802798 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
This article reexamines the role of the Kennedy administration during the Congo crisis, arguing that U.S. intervention in the Congo ended with American support for a right-wing dictator not only because of a commitment to contain the communist threat, but also because of a commitment to a liberal ideology. Though dedicated to modernizing the Congo, this liberal ideology ultimately undermined the genuine independence desired by Congolese nationalists by confining the meanings of liberty, equality, and development to an American framework. The article reveals, for example, that in its attempt to create a democratic state, the Kennedy administration continued to plot against Patrice Lumumba, the self-avowed nationalist and first democratically elected prime minister of the Congo, and employed bribery, blackmail, and threats in order to have Cyrille Adoula elected as prime minister in August 1961. The article also argues that the outbreak of leftist revolts in the fall of 1963 occurred because the Kennedy administration failed to treat Congolese leaders as equal partners in the statebuilding process. This left the Johnson administration with little choice but to attempt to create a semblance of stability and extricate the United States from the Congo and provided the opportunity for Moise Tshombe, leader of the Katanga secession, to become prime minister in June 1964 and Joseph Mobutu to become dictator in November 1965
Administration (probate law · Communism · Democracy · Dictator · Ideology · Independence (probability theory · Left-wing politics · Nationalism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · State (computer science · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Historical and Contemporary Political Dynamics · Law · Political Conflict and Governance
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |