Mobutu Sese Seko

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mobutu-sese-seko

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Mobutu Sese Seko born?October 14, 1930
2. When did Mobutu Sese Seko die?September 7, 1997 (age 66)
3. Where was Mobutu Sese Seko born?Lisala, Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
4. What is the related topics?Congo Crisis, Post-colonial Africa, Cold War politics in Africa, Kleptocracy, Authoritarianism
5. Who was Mobutu Sese Seko?Mobutu Sese Seko was a leader of the country that was once called Congo and later renamed Zaire. He was born in 1930 and became president after a military coup in 1965.
6. How did Mobutu become president?He started as a military officer and became Chief of Staff of the army. In 1965 he led a coup that gave him presidential power.

Deposed: To forcibly remove a ruler or government from power.
Autocratic Regime: A system of government where a single leader holds absolute power and authority.
National Authenticity: A policy aimed at promoting indigenous culture and eradicating foreign influences, particularly colonial ones.
Kleptocracy: A government characterized by corrupt leaders who use their political power to enrich themselves and their associates.