Pierre de Brazza
by Lisanne Schuller
Class of 1997
Pierre Paul Francois Camill Savargna de Brazza was a
French explorer who made a name for himself during the
Scramble for Africa during the late 1800's. His expedition fueled the
French public's desire for heroic activities of imperialism, and helped
develop the French Congo.
Brazza became a French citizen in 1874, thus all land claimed by him was
under the French flag. Brazza traveled up the Congo river. In addition to
obtaining land around the banks were he sailed, he acted as a colonial
administrator to help control the natives. Brazza's achievements also led
him to fame because they were compared to those of Stanley's by the European
press.
Brazza's adventure up the Congo involved many trials and tribulations. In
one incident, he had to dismantle his boat in order to forge parts of the
river. He overcame this problems in the name of culture, wealth, and
Christianity. The people of Europe loved his journey up the Congo because it
helped them to romanticize imperialism as a noble conquest.
Brazza established the French protectorate along the Congo in 1880, which
later, in 1891, became the French Congo. Brazza also found Brazzavile, a
town which is important because of its links to different ports, and to the
Congo river itself. Brazza'a town was under French Control until 1960, when
it became capital of the now independent Congo Republic. Brazza himself died
in 1905, after a career that aided imperialism in the way of exploration,
obtaining land for France, and keeping Europe happy with heroic tales from
the "dark continent." |