kernals12
Banned
Nigeria's Civil War, lasting from 1966 to 1970, is an overlooked and unusual event. The oil rich southeast region known as Biafra wanted independence. In 1968, Western television sets began filling with images of starving Biafrans, as the Federal Military Government resorted to ever more brutal tactics to bring the renegade province in line, becoming a major cause celebre. The war also created some unusual bedfellows internationally.
Britain, the US, and Canada found themselves on the opposite side of most of their traditional allies and on the same side as the Soviet Union. All these countries had their own reasons for their positions. The British had large oil interests in Biafra and decided to support the side it felt was more likely to win (the Federal Government). The Soviets and the Americans were both trying to curry favor from Lagos, and the Soviets were extra motivated by their hatred of seperatist movements. On the opposite side, France's ever impulsive President Charles De Gaulle was very sympathetic to the plight of the Biafrans, and he thought it'd be a good way to spite the British. The Chinese of course just did the opposite of what the Soviets wanted.
In the end, the Biafrans failed in their fight. But what if they had succeeded?
Britain, the US, and Canada found themselves on the opposite side of most of their traditional allies and on the same side as the Soviet Union. All these countries had their own reasons for their positions. The British had large oil interests in Biafra and decided to support the side it felt was more likely to win (the Federal Government). The Soviets and the Americans were both trying to curry favor from Lagos, and the Soviets were extra motivated by their hatred of seperatist movements. On the opposite side, France's ever impulsive President Charles De Gaulle was very sympathetic to the plight of the Biafrans, and he thought it'd be a good way to spite the British. The Chinese of course just did the opposite of what the Soviets wanted.
In the end, the Biafrans failed in their fight. But what if they had succeeded?