THE BERLIN CONFERENCE
Berlin Conference (1884 – 1885)
The partition of Africa also known as the scramble for Africa was started by King
Leopold 2, King of Belgium and Prince Otto Van Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany.
This was because France threatened Belgian interests in the Congo and because Bismarck
wanted to reduce the dangers of war between his country and France over Africa.
In 1884, Prince Otto Von Bismarck convened the Berlin Conference which took place
between November 1884 to February 1885.
The agenda was to discuss on the guidelines for dividing and partitioning Africa.
The Berlin Conference marked the real beginning of the scramble for Africa.
The powers that were represented at the conference (signatories) were Britain, France,
Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany.
The conference was held in Berlin the capital of Germany.
It was chaired by Prince Otto Von Bismarck the chancellor of Germany.
N.B : Not even a single African was invited, even though this was a meeting of deciding
the future of Africa.
Aims of Berlin Conference
- To divide Africa among European Powers
- To settle disputes arising from European activities in the Congo region.
- To lay down rules for the colonisation process.
- To avoid clashes among European Powers
Terms or results of the Berlin Conference
- Africa was divided into 20 territorial units called Spheres of Influence.
- Spheres of influence were to become colonies.
- A country should inform other countries of its Spheres of Influence.
- There was to be Effective occupation of a colony and hoisting of national flags to
illustrate that it had been taken.
- Freedom of navigation on major rivers such as Niger, Nile, Congo and Zambezi.
- Signing of treaties with indigenous chiefs or kings.
- Agreed to ban slavery and slave trade.
- Independent witnesses at the signing of treaties.
- Recognition of Congo region as belonging to King Leopold of Belgium.
- Agreed on defining boundaries on their spheres of influence.
- The Congo Free State was to be controlled by an International Association and all powers
were free to trade there.
- France got French Congo.
- Germany’s claims on Tanganyika were recognised.
THE BERLIN CONFERENCE
- To develop infrastructure in the colonies e.g. rail roads, bridges e.t.c.
- There was to be effective occupation of spheres of influence within three month failure of
which other contenders/colonial powers would take over.
- Rights of the indigenous people were to be respected.
- Disputes would be settled peacefully.
- Any power that intended to occupy any part of Africa was to notify others.
- The interested power would sign the necessary treaties with the African rulers and
produce evidence to the others that it had a legal right to occupy the area.
- There was to be freedom of navigation on major rivers e.g. Niger, Zambezi, Nile and
Congo rivers. The rivers were to remain open to the traders of all nations.
- The states agreed to suppress slavery and slave trade in the area occupied.
- The Congo region was recognized as belonging to Leopold 2 of Belgium.
NB. The Berlin Colonial Conference was the catalyst that speeded up the scramble. The
whole of Africa was partitioned with the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia.
How did the Berlin Conference stimulate the European partition of Africa?
Impact of the Berlin Conference
Treaty making, spheres of influence and effective occupation led to the rush for colonies.
Bogus treaties were signed with chiefs.
Chiefs were cheated.
The Berlin conference legalised the Scramble and Partition of Africa.
Other factors
- Prevailing conditions in Europe also had an influence e.g. the Industrial Revolution.
- Conditions in Africa also had stimulus e.g. African weaknesses.
- The discovery of minerals in South Africa was another factor.
- Activities of European agents such as traders, missionaries and individuals e.g. Rhodes,
hunters, explorers e.t.c.
Partitioned Africa
- Great Britain desired a Cape-to-Cairo collection of colonies and almost succeeded
through their control of Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya (British East Africa), South
Africa, and Zambia, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia),Malawi, Swaziland, Lesotho, Rwanda,
Burundi, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast).
- France took much of western Africa, from Mauritania to Chad (French West Africa) and
Gabon and the Republic of Congo (French Equatorial Africa), Senegal, Tunisia, Ivory
Coast, Algeria.
- Belgium and King Leopold II controlled the Democratic Republic of Congo (Belgian
Congo).
THE BERLIN CONFERENCE
- Portugal took Mozambique in the east and Angola in the west.
- Italy's holdings were Somalia (Italian Somaliland) and Eritrea.
- Germany took Namibia (German Southwest Africa), Togo, Cameroon and Tanzania
(German East Africa).
- Spain claimed the smallest territory - Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni).
- Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent.
-
European Colonies
power
Southern Africa West Africa East Africa North
Africa
Britain Malawi, Zambia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda Egypt
Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nigeria,
Botswana, Sierra Leone
Swaziland,
Lesotho
France Madagascar Senegal, Mali, French Tunisia,
Cote D'voire (Ivory Somaliland Algeria,
Coast), Gabon, Morocco
Chad, Guinea
Germany Namibia Togo, Cameroon, Tanzania,
Rwanda, Burundi
Portugal Mozambique, Guinea Bissau
Angola
Italy Eritrea, Italian Libya
Somaliland
Spain Spanish Guinea, Spanish
Morocco
Belgium Congo ( D.R.C)
