History
The Berlin Conference: Carving Up a Continent
An overview of the 1884-85 Berlin Conference, where European powers divided Africa, setting the stage for decades of colonial rule and conflict.
What is it?
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting organized by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, where fourteen European nations and the United States negotiated the rules for the colonization of Africa. This event formalized the "Scramble for Africa," a period of intense competition for African territory among European powers. The main outcome was the General Act, which set guidelines for claiming territory, notably the principle of "effective occupation," requiring a colonial power to have an established presence to assert its claim. Critically, no African leaders were invited to the conference or consulted in the decisions that sealed the continent's fate.
Why is it trending?
The Berlin Conference remains a significant historical topic because its consequences are still felt today. It represents the peak of European imperialism and is central to discussions about the legacies of colonialism. The conference accelerated the partitioning of Africa, with nearly 90% of the continent falling under European control by the early 20th century. Modern conversations about decolonization, political instability, and the roots of conflicts in Africa often reference the arbitrary borders and imposed systems established as a result of this meeting.
How does it affect people?
The conference had a catastrophic impact on the African people. The artificial borders drawn by the colonial powers disregarded existing ethnic, cultural, and linguistic lines, forcing rival groups into newly created states and splitting communities. This division is a direct cause of many of the ethnic conflicts and political instabilities that have plagued the continent for over a century. The subsequent colonial regimes led to the severe economic exploitation of Africa's resources, the violent suppression of its people, the erosion of local cultures, and created deep-seated inequalities that persist in the continent's modern social and political landscapes.