In the Berlin conference in the 19th century, all of the super powers met and literally drew boundaries for who had claim to the different parts of Africa
In the "Scramble for Africa"
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The Conference 'regulated' the way in which territory in Africa could be claimed by the great European powers of the time. The so-called "Principle of Effective Occupation" in the Treaty set rules for the level of actual occupation and administration that had to be established before a country could claim it as a colony. The conference further decided on claims and occupations already made by several participating countries and drew a number of lines on the map, separating and awarding spheres of influence to several European countries.
European countries scrambled to claim colonies in Africa in the period of 1876-1914 which corresponds to the period during which the panama canal was being built.
In the Berlin conference in the 19th century, all of the super powers met and literally drew boundaries for who had claim to the different parts of Africa
The Berlin Conference of 1885 established the principle of effective occupation, which stipulated that European powers could claim territory in Africa only if they had established a presence there. This led to the "Scramble for Africa," where various European nations rapidly divided the continent among themselves without consideration for indigenous populations or existing political boundaries. The conference also aimed to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa, although it primarily served to legitimize imperial ambitions. Ultimately, the conference had profound and lasting impacts on African societies and geopolitics.
In the "Scramble for Africa"
European leaders were driven to claim African territory primarily due to the desire for economic resources, including raw materials and new markets for their industrial goods. The scramble for Africa in the late 19th century was fueled by competition among European powers, nationalism, and the belief in the superiority of European civilization, which justified imperial expansion. Additionally, strategic interests, such as controlling trade routes and establishing military bases, played a significant role in the colonization efforts. Ultimately, this led to the exploitation and domination of African peoples and their resources.
It was claimed by a mixture of European countries, but France had the largest claim.
European countries
Southeast Asia was perfect for plantation agriculture. As sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, rubber, coconuts, bananas, and pineapple became more important in the world market, the more eager European powers were to claim land.
The European scramble for colonies in Africa began in earnest during the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This conference, convened by Otto von Bismarck of Germany, aimed to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa, leading to the partitioning of the continent among various European powers. The competition for resources, markets, and strategic advantage spurred nations to claim vast territories, often disregarding existing African societies and borders. This marked the start of intense imperialist expansion that dramatically reshaped Africa's political and social landscape.
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The British wanted to establish trading posts and forts on the Western coast of Africa. It did not want other big colonial powers like Germany and France to stake claim in Nigeria. Britain wanted to open markets for their manufactured products in Africa. They also wanted to expand their palm oil trade and ivory trade along its coasts. There were many illegal slave trading activities going on in Nigeria.
Southeast Asia was perfect for plantation agriculture. As sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, rubber, coconuts, bananas, and pineapple became more important in the world market, the more eager European powers were to claim land.
sending troops