AP World History: Modern Test Booklet
Cold War Africa DBQ Name
1. This question is based on the accompanying documents. The documents have been edited for the
purpose of this exercise.
In your response, you will be assessed on the following.
Respond to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis or claim that establishes a line of
reasoning.
Describe a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
Support an argument in response to the prompt using all but one of the documents.
Use at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence (beyond that found in the
documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt.
For at least three documents, explain how or why the document’s point of view, purpose,
historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument.
Use evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the prompt.
Evaluate the extent to which African countries were able to conduct independent policies during the
Cold War period.
Document 1
Source: United States Congress House of Representatives, Committee on Un-American Activities, How
Communists Menace Vital Materials, map published in 1956.
A legend below the map provides assessments by the Committee of Un-American Activities regarding
Soviet activities in various parts of the world.
The assessment for Africa (arrow number three) reads:
“Africa: [Soviet] encouragement of nationalist terrorists. Stirring up racial tensions. Psychological
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your
school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
Page 1 of 5
AP World History: Modern Test Booklet
Cold War Africa DBQ
warfare against U.S. and West based on colonialism and color.”
Document 2
Source: Editorial in Evening News, the official newspaper of the ruling Ghanaian Convention People’s
Party, published on the eve of the first Conference of Independent African States, Accra, Ghana, 1958.
“When it is an African uprising against tyranny and oppression, the imperialists call it 'terrorism’; but
when it is White people taking up arms under similar conditions they call it a just cause. [For example],
the recent Hungarian uprising* was universally praised as a just opposition against suppression, and the
Hungarians who participated in it were christened “freedom fighters.” But what the Russians did to the
Hungarians that the “free” world made so much fuss about was the same thing that the British did in
Kenya, and the French are doing in Algeria. . . .
It is high time that we be blunt and impartial in our condemnation of imperialism, regardless of which
power is carrying it out. . . . We have no love for Russia and are not interested in the dirty business of
Eastern-Western power bloc politics. But so many in the west are ready to accuse Russia of her
brutalities, yet defend [Western] imperialism because, they claim, it is saving Africa from the
“terrorism” of self-rule!”
*A reference to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, in which mass protests toppled the country’s
communist government, leading a Soviet-led military invasion and the forcible reimposition of
communist rule.
Document 3
Source: United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Allen Dulles, secret diplomatic
telegram to the CIA agent in the Congolese capital Leopoldville, August 26, 1960.
“In your dispatch of August 18, you expressed the opinion that the Congo is experiencing a classic
communist takeover* whether or not Lumumba himself is a Communist or just playing the Communist
game to help him solidify his power. You state that there might be little time left in which to take action
if we were to avoid another Cuba.
In high quarters here [in Washington], there is the clear-cut conclusion that as long as Lumumba
continues to hold high office, the inevitable result will at best be chaos and at worst it would pave the
way to Communist takeover of the Congo, with disastrous consequences for the U.S. and for the
interests of the free world. Consequently, we conclude that [Lumumba’s] removal must be an urgent
and prime objective that should be a high priority of our covert action in the Congo.”
*a reference to the May 1960 Congolese election which brought to power Patrice Lumumba,
independent Congo’s first prime minister.
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your
school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
Page 2 of 5
AP World History: Modern Test Booklet
Cold War Africa DBQ
Document 4
Source: Frantz Fanon, French West Indian political philosopher and activist, Toward the African
Revolution, book published in 1964.
“It is surely not by chance that the hand of Moscow is ‘discovered,’ in an almost stereotyped way,
behind each demand for national independence put forth by a colonial people. This is because any
difficulty that is put in the way of the supremacy of the West is seen as a threat to its economic power
and its military interests .. . . .
The position taken by a few newly independent countries, which are determined to remain outside the
policy of the superpower blocs, has introduced a new dimension into the balance of forces in the world.
Adopting the so-called policy of positive neutralism, of non-dependence, of non-commitment, the
underdeveloped countries that are awakening from a long slumber of slavery and of oppression are
trying to remain outside of any warlike involvement, in order to devote themselves to the urgent
economic tasks, to staving off hunger, to the improvement of man’s lot.”
Document 5
Source: Viktor Bakin, Soviet diplomatic official in Poland, briefing to Polish officials on Soviet
activities in Somalia, 1971.
“After the 1969 military coup in Somalia and the assumption of power of General Siad Barre’s
Revolutionary Council, many positive elements in Somali domestic and foreign policies can be
observed. Therefore, the Soviet Union is planning to comprehensively activate its relations with that
country, including the following activities undertaken so far. . .
In the economic field: The Soviet Union offered Somalia a long-term loan of 40 million rubles. . . The
sending of additional Soviet specialists to Somalia was also agreed. Currently there are 111 Soviet
specialists, outside the military field, in Somalia, including five professionals working in various
Somali government departments. Thirty-two Soviet teachers and 18 Soviet doctors are planned to travel
to Somalia this year. There are 350 Somalis, except those at military academies, currently studying in
the Soviet Union.
In the military field: The Soviet Union also provides military assistance to Somalia. The Somali army,
numbering 14,000 troops, is almost exclusively equipped with Soviet weaponry and is trained by Soviet
military specialists. Somali staff officers are trained in the Soviet Union.
We seek to further promote relations with Somalia, and we hope that the other socialist countries,
including Poland, will also develop their economic and political ties with that country. It would be
desirable, therefore, to coordinate USSR’s and the other socialist countries’ activities in that regard.”
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your
school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
Page 3 of 5
AP World History: Modern Test Booklet
Cold War Africa DBQ
Document 6
Source: Janez Hocevar, Yugoslav ambassador to Somalia, report to the Yugoslav government, sent
from Mogadishu, Somalia, 1975.
“Although many questions remain open as to the reason behind President Siad’s recent invitation to the
Americans to inspect the Soviet-built military facilities in the [Somali] port of Berbera,* I believe it was
aimed at demonstrating to the world that Soviet-friendly Somalia can retain control over all of its
military installations. This affirms the Somali policy of independence and nonalignment. President Siad
might also intend to lessen Somali diplomatic isolation in order to engage with the Arab League, the
Organization of African Unity, and other nonaligned countries.
The Soviet Union took advantage of the locals, building military complexes according to Soviet needs.
This is taking a toll on Somalia’s path toward true independence. The American inspections, although
humiliating, are improving Somali-American relations. They hint at a possible future where the United
States provides economic and humanitarian assistance in order to match Soviet influence. This would
expand the Somali leadership’s room for maneuvering.”
*In the mid-1970s, the relationship between Siad Barre’s government and the Soviet Union began to
deteriorate because of Soviet unwillingness to back Somali claims over parts of neighboring Ethiopia.
Document 7
Source: Robert Mugabe, leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union [ZANU], a political and
military organization trying to end White minority rule in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, interview in the
Mozambique-based newspaper Tempo, 1978.
“We are not a creation of the Soviet Union or Cuba; we are a creation of Zimbabwe. Our army is a
manifestation of the nationalist desires of our people, a product of the history of our country. . . . It is
true that the Soviets gave us aid, as did the entire international socialist community. ZAPU* trained
militants in Cuba and, after 1967, and so did we. But though we trained cadres in the socialist countries,
this did not transform our army into a Russian or Chinese army. Our war is supported by the
progressive world. And it is true that our objective is the liquidation of imperialism and colonialism.
But it is the Zimbabwean people who are fighting the war. No one can deny us the right to seek aid
from our friends and allies. But it will always be Zimbabweans who direct the struggle.”
*Another Zimbabwean militant group fighting against minority White rule in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your
school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
Page 4 of 5
AP World History: Modern Test Booklet
Cold War Africa DBQ
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your school’s participation in the
program is prohibited.
Page 5 of 5
