Many kingdoms flourished in the region known as the Congo through the 17th century. The French established control of the Congo in 1885. The country became independent in 1960. The country adopted a Marxist-Leninist approach to government after a coup in 1963. China and the USSR have a big influence on the country. President Sassou-Nguesso worked for stronger relations with the USSR and a socialist constitution was written and ratified in 1979. Still the Congo looks to France for trade and technical assistance. @
