Patrice Lumumba: Speech at the Proclamation of Congolese Independence

Questions for Further Study

• 1. What role did ethnic differences play in the turmoil that surrounded Congolese independence? Why do you think these ethnic differences were so deeply rooted?
• 2. One of the chief issues surrounding Congolese independence was whether the nation should be organized and governed in a “centralist” or “federalist” fashion. What is the distinction between the two forms of government? In this regard, do you see any parallels between the Congo in the 1960s and the United States in the twenty-first century?
• 3. In the 1960s the cold war between the United States and its allies (the West) and the Soviet Union and its allies (the East) was at its height. Throughout this era, many wars, rebellions, and independence movements became proxy disputes between East and West. To what extent could the situation in the Congo be regarded as such a dispute? Why were the United States and the Soviets interested in the outcome of the dispute?
• 4. What is “Pan-Africanism”? In what way does Lumumba's speech reflect the principles of Pan-Africanism? With regard to this issue, why was Lumumba's speech considered divisive?
• 5. Imagine that you are Belgian King Baudouin and that you are seated behind Lumumba, listening to his speech. How do you think you would have reacted? If you had the opportunity, what response do you think you would make to Lumumba's speech?