The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 was a forum to regularize European colonization of Africa. It coincided with rise of Germany as an imperial power. At the time United States was recovering from the lingering social, political and economic effects of Civil War and was yet not the global force it later became. This was the reason for USA not getting any major land in Africa. However, Liberia was founded with US help in Africa, which was intended to be the home of returned African slaves.
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 resulted in the General Act of the Berlin Conference, which established rules for the colonization and trade in Africa among European powers. It formalized the "Scramble for Africa" by recognizing the claims of various countries over African territories, promoting the idea of effective occupation to legitimate territorial claims. The conference aimed to prevent conflicts among European nations over African land and resources, significantly impacting the continent's political landscape.
The U.S. became involved in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 primarily to assert its influence in global affairs and promote its economic interests, particularly in Africa. Although it did not claim territory, the U.S. sought to ensure that its commercial interests were protected and that it would not be excluded from potential trade opportunities. Additionally, participating in the conference allowed the U.S. to align itself with European powers and be part of the discussions shaping international norms regarding territorial claims and colonial governance.
Primarily it was to obtain the raw materials that existed there. At the time, much of Africa was an unexplored land with untapped resources. Since Africa was technologically inferior to Europe at the time, and the populations there mainly primitive, establishing colonies was not prohibitively difficult. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 essentially "divided up" Africa into various European colonies and spheres of influence, many of which lasted until the middle of the 20th century.
sending troops
The Berlin Blockade
African land was divided without regard
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 resulted in the General Act of the Berlin Conference, which established rules for the colonization and trade in Africa among European powers. It formalized the "Scramble for Africa" by recognizing the claims of various countries over African territories, promoting the idea of effective occupation to legitimate territorial claims. The conference aimed to prevent conflicts among European nations over African land and resources, significantly impacting the continent's political landscape.
The Berlin Conference was pretty much the dividing of Africa. The country leaders of Austria-Hungary, Sweden-Norway, Portugal, Spain, Holland, The United Kingdom, and other European countries attended this. The countries went here because of the raw minerals and slaves in Africa. You might learn in class about the Triangle Trade which consists of the trading from European countries to African countries to the United States. The Berlin Conference was held in Berlin, Germany It took place from November 1884 to February 1885. Not even a year between the two. This is significant because the leaders did this to avoid war. That didn't really work out because Holland had control of South Africa. Great Britain decided to go and take Holland. There ended up being a war between the 2 and Great Britain won South Africa.
British had the most power. They had the most money the strongest military and had the most land in Africa at the time.
The U.S. became involved in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 primarily to assert its influence in global affairs and promote its economic interests, particularly in Africa. Although it did not claim territory, the U.S. sought to ensure that its commercial interests were protected and that it would not be excluded from potential trade opportunities. Additionally, participating in the conference allowed the U.S. to align itself with European powers and be part of the discussions shaping international norms regarding territorial claims and colonial governance.
causes; explorers and missionaries increase concact, slave trade, nations competing for land, Berlin Conference. effects; eropeans establish new borders in Africa, horros in the congo, France and Britain took a big part of Africa and others also scrambled for land, Africa elite emerged.
The first country to prompt an all-out land grab in Africa by other European powers was Belgium, specifically under King Leopold II. His exploitation of the Congo Free State in the late 19th century exposed the region's vast resources and led to intense interest and competition among European nations, culminating in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This conference formalized the "Scramble for Africa," where various powers divided the continent among themselves, often with little regard for indigenous populations.
African land was divided without regard
Primarily it was to obtain the raw materials that existed there. At the time, much of Africa was an unexplored land with untapped resources. Since Africa was technologically inferior to Europe at the time, and the populations there mainly primitive, establishing colonies was not prohibitively difficult. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 essentially "divided up" Africa into various European colonies and spheres of influence, many of which lasted until the middle of the 20th century.
sending troops
sending troops
One thing that started the land grab was the Berlin Conference in 1884, which was basically European powers arguing over who could take what, so as not to war among themselves. African governments were not consulted. Africa was rich in lands and resources, and considered ripe for colonization. The only agreements that had been made were trade agreements with tribal chiefs, so it was considered unclaimed and open for any strong power to come in and take over. To gain public acceptance, the suppression of slavery was often given as the reason for occupation.