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The CIA has tried to bring about regime change in dozens of countries since it was created in 1947. While many of these operations are notorious, its efforts in Africa are less well known. This course looks at Washington’s covert meddling in African countries and its consequences.
What will we cover?
We will look at the CIA’s origins, how its power expanded during the Cold War, and its methods, focusing on its role in the overthrow of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo and that of Ghana’s leader, Kwame Nkrumah, and the CIA’s role across southern Africa, particularly in the Angolan civil war, as the struggle against white-minority regimes intensified. We will also look at the nature and legacy of CIA involvement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the crucial role the CIA has played in US foreign policy and how the effects of past operations, whether successful or not, continue to shape Africa and geopolitics today.
Gain knowledge of key events and leaders across Africa in the second half of the 20th century.
Critically reflect upon the political, social and economic impact of the United States’ interference in Africa and elsewhere.
Understand how those opposed to the CIA and its local allies resisted these efforts to shape their countries.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the modern history of Africa, post-war history and/or international affairs.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught via brief sketches of the main figures, outlines of key events with explanations of their importance, discussions in class, analysis of primary sources (such as texts, photographs, reports, film clips, music etc), and guided study in students’ own time if they wish to research the subject further.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Pen and paper, or some other means of taking notes, and an inquisitive mind is all you need.
Oren Gruenbaum has a degree in politics and modern history from Manchester University and a master's in Asian and African history from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. He taught history for three years in a Zimbabwe township. He has worked as a journalist at the Guardian newspaper for the past 20 years, with previous experience on the Independent and other newspapers, including three years in Lebanon. He also wrote news and analysis for the Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies, from 2008 to 2023. He remains a member of the editorial board of the Round Table, the UK's oldest international affairs journal.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-cia-in-africa-coups-conspiracy-and-covert-action3075313The CIA in Africa: Coups, Conspiracy and Covert Actionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history/Courses/Online courses228511771178197617311228511771178<p>Discover a fascinating and undercover world of the American CIA's involvement in coups and regime change in Africa on this exciting online course.</p>003075304The CIA in Africa: Coups, Conspiracy and Covert Action129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-19T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHWH115129129The CIA in Africa: Coups, Conspiracy and Covert Action12984129Oren Gruenbaumthe-cia-in-africa-coups-conspiracy-and-covert-action/hwh115-2627<p>Discover a fascinating and undercover world of the American CIA's involvement in coups and regime change in Africa on this exciting online course.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-19 00:00:00<p>The CIA has tried to bring about regime change in dozens of countries since it was created in 1947. While many of these operations are notorious, its efforts in Africa are less well known. This course looks at Washington’s covert meddling in African countries and its consequences.</p><p>Discover a fascinating and undercover world of the American CIA's involvement in coups and regime change in Africa on this exciting online course.</p><p>We will look at the CIA’s origins, how its power expanded during the Cold War, and its methods, focusing on its role in the overthrow of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo and that of Ghana’s leader, Kwame Nkrumah, and the CIA’s role across southern Africa, particularly in the Angolan civil war, as the struggle against white-minority regimes intensified. We will also look at the nature and legacy of CIA involvement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.</p><ul><li>Understand the crucial role the CIA has played in US foreign policy and how the effects of past operations, whether successful or not, continue to shape Africa and geopolitics today.</li><li>Gain knowledge of key events and leaders across Africa in the second half of the 20th century.</li><li>Critically reflect upon the political, social and economic impact of the United States’ interference in Africa and elsewhere.</li><li>Understand how those opposed to the CIA and its local allies resisted these efforts to shape their countries.</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the modern history of Africa, post-war history and/or international affairs.</p><p>The course will be taught via brief sketches of the main figures, outlines of key events with explanations of their importance, discussions in class, analysis of primary sources (such as texts, photographs, reports, film clips, music etc), and guided study in students’ own time if they wish to research the subject further.<br> </p><p>There are no additional costs. Pen and paper, or some other means of taking notes, and an inquisitive mind is all you need. </p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-history-of-the-fbi-1908-1976/hah45-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The History of the FBI 1908-1976 | Online Course</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our African history courses here.</a></p>HistoryAfrican historyvirtual12912984HWH115NONETue19/01/27 - 16/02/2719:30 - 21:0019:3021:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineOren GruenbaumBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-19T00:00:00+00:00EveningJan 2027Culture, history & humanities129129The CIA in Africa: Coups, Conspiracy and Covert Actionthe-cia-in-africa-coups-conspiracy-and-covert-action/hwh115-2627<p>Discover a fascinating and undercover world of the American CIA's involvement in coups and regime change in Africa on this exciting online course.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-19 00:00:00<p>The CIA has tried to bring about regime change in dozens of countries since it was created in 1947. While many of these operations are notorious, its efforts in Africa are less well known. This course looks at Washington’s covert meddling in African countries and its consequences.</p><p>Discover a fascinating and undercover world of the American CIA's involvement in coups and regime change in Africa on this exciting online course.</p><p>We will look at the CIA’s origins, how its power expanded during the Cold War, and its methods, focusing on its role in the overthrow of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo and that of Ghana’s leader, Kwame Nkrumah, and the CIA’s role across southern Africa, particularly in the Angolan civil war, as the struggle against white-minority regimes intensified. We will also look at the nature and legacy of CIA involvement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.</p><ul><li>Understand the crucial role the CIA has played in US foreign policy and how the effects of past operations, whether successful or not, continue to shape Africa and geopolitics today.</li><li>Gain knowledge of key events and leaders across Africa in the second half of the 20th century.</li><li>Critically reflect upon the political, social and economic impact of the United States’ interference in Africa and elsewhere.</li><li>Understand how those opposed to the CIA and its local allies resisted these efforts to shape their countries.</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the modern history of Africa, post-war history and/or international affairs.</p><p>The course will be taught via brief sketches of the main figures, outlines of key events with explanations of their importance, discussions in class, analysis of primary sources (such as texts, photographs, reports, film clips, music etc), and guided study in students’ own time if they wish to research the subject further.<br> </p><p>There are no additional costs. Pen and paper, or some other means of taking notes, and an inquisitive mind is all you need. </p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/the-history-of-the-fbi-1908-1976/hah45-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The History of the FBI 1908-1976 | Online Course</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our African history courses here.</a></p>HistoryAfrican historyconfigurable
19761178African historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history1/2/285/1177/1178/19761/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history
