Casemate UK Ripe For Rebellion - Political & Military Insurgency in the Congo 1946-1964 Helion & Company via Casemate UK

[Julien]

Ripe For Rebellion (9781913336233)

Political & Military Insurgency in the Congo 1946-1964

Helion & Company via Casemate UK

 

 

The Congo was at the tome one of those former colonies which once they gained their independence the country has lunched from one corrupt regime to another. as far back as 1877 the country was explored and administered by Belgium. King Leopold II formally acquired rights to the Congo territory at the Conference of Berlin in 1885 and made the land his private property. The territory was run quite brutally and it is estimated millions died under his rule. In 1908 The Belgian Government bowed to international pressure and reluctantly took over the state. During WWII territory provided a much needed income for the Belgian Government in exile. Post WWII despite it being illegal the local population began to form political alliances. The ultimate aim was to gain independence for the country. Pressure was put on the Belgians to allow the colony to have its own elections and leaders were invited to Brussels in 1956.  Elections were held in 1957 with independence being granted in 1960 with the forming of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

 

 

Like many former colonies in Africa the granting of independence however was only the start of the crisis for the country. Political infighting and civil war would then dog the country for many years. Despite the intervention of United Nations Troops from countries as diverse as India, Sweden and Ethiopia the situation only degenerated. Through insurgency in Stanlyville,  Katanga and Kwilu and the Kivu rebellion the 1960s were very hard on the country. This was further complicated by the involvement in the region of the CIA and ex Cuban mercenaries. Though this is covered in a separate book). 

 

 

The book is 80 pages long with 7 pages of colour profiles and 1 of colour maps in the centre.  it gives a brief history of the Congo prior to 1946, then looks comprehensively at post war attempts to form an independent country, then the independence itself.  The ain thrust of the book is the period from independence until 1964 with the counter insurgency and efforts to prop the country up following what the western powers thought to be a "communist". This effort would be led by the US CIA supported by mercenaries and Belgian Troops who relied on the US for logistics support.

 

 

 

Conclusion

This is an excellent detailed book on the post war disaster which was the Congo during this period. Highly recommended. 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of