THE BERLIN CONFERENCE AND THE PARTITION OF AFRICA

1884-1885

The Berlin Conference Date: 1884-5 Host: German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck What do we know about Chancellor Bismarck? Purpose: With King Leopold of Belgium sponsoring

exploration of the Congo in the early 1880s, other European powers began to scramble to press claims to African lands

The purpose of the Conference was to establish an orderly (and hopefully peaceful) method for European nations to claim colonies in Africa

The General Act of the Berlin Conference

1) International Prohibition of the Slave Trade throughout Africa

2) King Leopold’s private ownership of the Congo was confirmed

3) Method for claiming colonies was established:A) Establish a government office in the regionB) Effect treaties with local leaders C) Notify other European powers of the claim

Effects of the Berlin Conference

European powers rushed to colonize Africa (the “Scramble”), drawing arbitrary borders with no regard for traditional settlement patterns or ethnic boundaries

Within 20 years of the conference, nearly all of Africa had been partitioned among the European powers

Long Term Results of the Berlin Conference?