Belgian Congo 21 CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY Leopold II creates Comité d'Etudes du Haut-Congo. De Brazza, having explored Ogowe ( 1875–78 ), offers to establish French influence on Congo . 1879–82 Stanley in Africa as representative of Comité ; reaches upper river and makes treaties, returning to Europe August 1882 . 1880–82 De Brazza, acting for France, establishes France ville on Ogowe, Brazzaville on Stanley Pool ; he explores Niari Kwilu . 1882 Portugal opens negotiations with England to secure Congo mouth . 1883–84 Stanley secures Niari Kwilu valley for International Congo Association (the new name of the Comité ), and makes treaties in upper Congo. De Brazza, sent to anticipate Stanley, arrives too late .

1884 Anglo- Portuguese Treaty (Feb. 26) assigns Congo mouth to Portugal. United States recognizes Association as a friendly State (Apr. 22) . Association accords rights of pre -emption to France (Apr. 23) . France and Germany declining to accept Anglo Portuguese Treaty, Portugal suggests International Conference (May 1884) . 1884–85 Berlin Conference (Nov. 15 , 1884 - Feb . 26, 1885) regulates position of Congo basin ; the Powers by separate treaties recognize the Association as a State, and it adheres to Berlin Act (Feb. 26) .

1885 Leopold II assumes sovereignty and proclaims neutrality of State . 1886 Slave-traders of eastern Congo destroy station at Stanley Falls. 1887–89 Stanley, appointed to relieve Emin Pasha in Equa toria, secures Falls by installing Tiputipu as Vali, and brings Emin back to Congo.

1890 Brussels Conference regulates trade in liquor and provides better means for suppression of slave trade. Agreement between State and Belgium for loan , giving Belgium right to annex in 1901 .