French Equatorial Africa

French Equatorial Africa, former French federation in W central Africa. It consisted of four constituent territories: Gabon, Middle Congo (see Congo, Republic of the), Chad, and Ubangi-Shari (now the Central African Republic). The capital was Brazzaville. The federation was formed in large part through the efforts of Savorgnan de Brazza, who forged the link between French possessions in the Congo basin and those in W Africa. French Equatorial Africa (originally called French Congo) was officially established in 1910. Until 1920, Chad and Ubangi-Shari were a single territory. The federation was ruled by a governor-general, resident in Brazzaville, who had a deputy in each of the four territories. About 100,000 sq mi (259,000 sq km) were ceded to Germany as a result of the Agadir crisis (1911) but were returned to France by the Treaty of Versailles. During World War II the federation supported the Free French. In the Fourth French Republic, French Equatorial Africa was given representation in the French parliament and in the assembly of the French Union. When the constituent territories voted (1958) to become autonomous republics within the French Community, the federation was dissolved. In 1959 the new republics formed a loose association called the Union of Central African Republics, and in 1960 they became fully independent republics within the French Community.

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French Equatorial Africa

 formerly French Congo

Former federation of French possessions, western Central Africa. It was in existence from 1910 to 1959; its capital was Brazzaville. With independence in 1960, the former territory of Ubangi-Shari, to which Chad had been attached in 1920, became the Central African Republic and the Republic of Chad; the Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo; and Gabon became the Republic of Gabon.

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French Equatorial Africa

the former French overseas territories of Chad, Gabon, Middle Congo, and Ubangi-Shari (1910--58)

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French Equatorial Africa 

a political and administrative association of French possessions in Equatorial Africa that existed from 1910 to 1958; it was called the French Congo prior to 1910. The association included the colonies of Gabon, the Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari, and Chad, all administered from Brazzaville. The spread of the anti-imperialist struggle in the French possessions after World War II forced the French government in 1958 to grant these colonies the status of autonomous republics within the French Community. The Middle Congo took the name Congo Republic (now the People’s Republic of the Congo), and Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic (Central African Empire from December 1976 to September 1979). After the association was abolished, its former constituent republics declared their independence in August 1960.