The Great Plunderer 1.

In what ways did Mobutu elevate and protect his status as the leader of the DRC? He utilized the horrible and corrupt conditions in the 1960s as justification for rising to power and improving the country. He carried out several public demonstrations to affirm his authority such as public executions of cabinet members. Furthermore, he crushed all opposition with shear force. Mobutu also implemented many successful public policies that reaffirmed Congos status as a legitimate country. Additionally, he started numerous foreign diplomatic relationships with powerful countries such as the U.S. and as such maintained the support of the leaders of the globe. Next, he created the national political party of which he was the leader that everybody must obey. The MPR. He utilized propaganda and rallied public support so that he was known as the father and savior of Congo. 2. a)What was Mobutus approach to economic policies in the DRC? Mobutu wished for economic independence, seizing around 2,000 foreignowned enterprises without compensation and handing them to individuals to privately own. He also traded companies for political support. Many of the individuals who controlled them were members of his family and close allies. b)What are the Congos main industries, imports/exports, and source of wealth? The Congos main industries were several resources such as copper, cobalt, industrial diamonds and other minerals as well as cocao, rubber. Furthermore, they exported Cobalt and diamonds. However, most of these industries were controlled by Mobotu/the elite. c)Who did these policies help and who did these policies hurt? These policies ended up hurting the working class and the worst off in society who originally worked within plantations and other businesses while benefitting the highest in society. Specifically, Mobotu had access to around 1/3 of Congos wealth, and he often bribed his political allies for control of businesses. Many of the lowest in society, however, were cheated and forced out of jobs. 3. Why were the DRC and Mobutu seen as valuable asset by the United States and Russia during the Cold War? These were seen as a valuable asset by America since the U.S. wanted to maintain a bulwark against the Soviet Union. This was especially significant during the cold war since the USSR had many ambitions in Africa.

The Great Plunderer 4. What are three examples of Mobutus kelptocracy (stealing from ones own country to enrich oneself) First, he stole money from the companies that he seized to his own private accounts. For example, in 1976, he funneled 1 million dollars to his bank account. Second, he withdrew around $150 million in foreign exchange from the Congolese central bank and many profits from exports with resources such as cobalt were directly for his own purposes. Thirdly, he essentially robbed individuals of their land and transferred them for his own uses, including around 14 agricultural plantations. 5. How and why did the government in the DRC disintegrate? Why do you think there has been so much political turmoil in this region? Many foreign businesses went bankrupt or were ruined, which caused many sectors in rural areas to collapse. There was grand corruption within all areas of government, with the powerful within many factions stealing money and controlling resources that were denied to the worst-off. Hospitals closed, the infrastructure was awful, and the population experienced hunger and disease. There has been so much political turmoil in this region because the very foundation and basis of a functioning society was destroyed by Mobotu. Furthermore, those who were living in the 1970s form the middle-aged and elderly in the status quo, meaning that those that those individuals that structure and uphold society were cheated and robbed of welfare by Mobotu. Many civil wars have erupted in the DRC due to resource issues.