ABSTRACT
In 1880, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza (18521905) established a trading post that would become modern Brazzaville and his treaties with the Bateke leaders helped establish a strong French presence in the area. In 1903 France gave the name Middle Congo to the region and in 1910 the Middle Congo - along with Chad, Gabon and Ubangi-Chari - became part of the territory known as French Equatorial Africa. In 1958, French Equatorial Africa was dissolved and after a period as a self-governing member of the French Community, the Congo in 1960 became independent.
