The Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting among European powers to establish rules for dividing Africa among themselves, aiming to avoid conflict. Without African representatives, they mapped out borders and claimed territories, driven by desires for resources and strategic advantages. This process ignored existing African nations and cultures, leading to long-term impacts such as divided communities and geopolitical tensions. The conference is seen as a key moment in the “Scramble for Africa,” where European countries carved up the continent largely for their own benefit, shaping Africa's political landscape for generations.