The Scramble for Africa

The Scramble for Africa refers to the rapid invasion, colonization, and partition of African territories by European powers during the late 19th century, particularly between 1881 and 1914. Driven by economic interests, nationalism, and competition among nations, European countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium sought to expand their empires. This led to the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European nations negotiated territorial claims without African representation. The consequences included significant social, political, and economic disruptions in Africa, many of which have lasting effects today, as colonial powers exploited resources and imposed foreign governance on African peoples.