The 1884 Berlin Conference, formally the Congo Conference, was a pivotal event that formalized the "Scramble for Africa." Hosted by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, it brought together 14 European powers (plus the United States and the Ottoman Empire) to divide African territories among themselves. Held from November 15, 1884, to February 26, 1885, in Berlin, the conference aimed to regulate colonial competition and ensure "free trade" and "civilization" in Africa, but it prioritized European interests over African sovereignty.
Key outcomes included:
Division of Africa: The conference established rules for claiming African territories, requiring "effective occupation" (e.g., treaties or military presence). This led to arbitrary borders that ignored ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities, creating many of Africa's modern boundaries.
Congo Free State: King Leopold II of Belgium gained personal control over the Congo, which became a brutal private colony notorious for forced labor and millions of deaths.
Spheres of Influence: Major powers like Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal carved out vast regions, with Britain and France dominating. By 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent.
"Civilizing Mission": The conference endorsed the pretext of bringing Christianity, commerce, and civilization to Africa, masking exploitative colonial agendas.
The conference didn't create the Scramble but accelerated and legitimized it. Its effects linger:
Borders: Artificial boundaries continue to fuel ethnic conflicts and political instability.
Resource Extraction: Colonial economic structures prioritized raw material exports, hindering diversified development.
Governance: Authoritarian colonial systems influenced post-independence governance challenges.
This "land grab" that still shapes Africa's geopolitical struggles, while others note its role in setting precedents for global power dynamics.
For deeper context, read The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham.
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Credit to @PanaGenius TV and the narrator @Sandra Badu Akosa
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