Third Prize: A Victory, a Loss, or a Draw?: Assessing the efficacy of the FBI’s COINTELPRO methods against the Black Panther Party in Chicago

Authors

  • Katelyn Stieva University of Calgary

Abstract

This article considers the ability of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to shape, limit, and control the behaviour of its intended targets. A single case study is used to understand how the Bureau implemented different counter-intelligence strategies in order to disrupt and discredit the activities of perceived “hostile” or “subversive” organizations. The organization selected for this study is the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, circa 1965-1973; this organization is analysed in concert with the methods of counter-intelligence and surveillance employed by the Bureau in in their Counter-intelligence Program (COINTELPRO). The results of this study suggest that while the Bureau was able to create an environment of fear and uncertainty surrounding the Black Panthers, thus resulting in some disruption of Panther activity, their ability to limit and control the behaviour of the Panthers was limited at best.  

Author Biography

Katelyn Stieva, University of Calgary

Katelyn Stieva is a recent graduate from the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies where she received a Master of Strategic Studies. Her academic interests center on American History, Intelligence History, the Civil Rights Movement, and Race Studies. She is pursing further graduate work at the University of New Brunswick. Beside academia, she enjoys going on adventures (real or imagined), chocolate, a warm cup of tea, and a good game of Trivial Pursuit.

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Published

2018-08-07

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2018)

Section

Annual National Student Award Competition