THE BERLIN CONFERENCE 1884-1885 - Causes, Agreement and Its Impacts
Some European countries attended the conference were 27 nations including: Belgium, Britain, Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, German etc.
Denmark and USA attended in the conference as observers who were to observe all activities of the conference.
The major aim of the Berlin conference was to divide African continent peaceful among the imperialist powers.
The Causes and Agreements of Berlin Conference
REASONS (AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF BERLIN CONFERENCE
The Berlin conference was hold due to a number of reasons. Some of the reasons for the holding the conference was as follows:-
To discuss the nature of the scramble for Africa: so as to avoid conflicts of European over the African
To divide African continent among the imperialist powers: The conference was summoned in order to discuss on how to divide the continent of Africa into colonies among scrambling European
To solve and avoid conflicts: The conference also aimed at solving the ongoing conflicts between scrambling European nations in Africa and also avoid other conflicts which were likely to occur (To settle European conflicts which occurred before arranging the meeting).
To set up boundaries in Africa: The conference also aimed at setting up boundaries in African colonies so as to avoid interference among European colonial
To lay down principles: The Berlin Conference was also aimed at laying down principles which were to be adhered in the division and colonization of Africa (To settle rules and principles on how Africa should be divided up among the European nations)
To solve the problem of industrialization The conference was aimed at solving the problem of industrialization in Europe such as shortage of raw materials, markets This was to be done through dividing the continent of Africa into colonies for the industrialized nations in Europe.
QN: WHY GERMANY MANAGED TO HOLD THE CONFERENCE
There were several reasons as to why Germany under Otto Von Bismarck managed to hold the conference of all capitalist nations and not any other nations like Britain, France etc.
Germany was able to summon the international conference due to the following: -
Military power: During the last quarter of 19th c Germany dominated Europe in terms of military strength. Germany was powerful militarily therefore other European nations feared Failure to attend the conference could end up into military punishment.
Economic strength: Germany was very powerful economically compared to other European nations by the last quarter of the 19th This also influenced Germany to hold the conference.
The influence of Bismarck: Bismarck was a very influential factor for Germany to hold the Berlin He was very diplomatic and propagandist and therefore the conference in Berlin became inevitable.
Enmity between other nations: This gave Germany an opportunity to summon the conference.
Participation in scramble: Germany did not fully participate in the scramble for Africa and therefore was seen by other nations as the only solution for the division of
QN: WHY WAS THE BERLIN CONFERENCE HELD IN GERMANY?
Impact of German unification: Germany unification made Germany the most powerful and influential nation not only in Europe but also in the world by
Germany’s industrialization: which made Germany to be in need of colonies for raw- materials and areas for investment that is why Germany responded to the request of Portugal as quickly as
The role of Chancellor Edward Otto Von Bismarck: he was very ambitious leader who wanted recognition by other European leaders that is why he called (summoned) the Berlin
Impact of Franco Prussian war: The hostility between France against Germany the conflict is rooted from the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871. Germany summoned the conference in order to check the French expansionism in
PRINCIPLES (AGREEMENTS/RESOLUTIONS) OF BERLIN CONFERENCE
QN: critically explain six resolutions or principles/ agreement of Berlin conference.
The Berlin conference in order to divide and colonize Africa, laid down some principles to be adhered by all colonial powers. These were: -
Abolition of slave trade and slavery in Africa: Every nation after being given an area (colony) in Africa was told to abolish slave trade and slavery activities in their respective colonies.
Principle of notification: it was agreed that any European nation intending to have a colony in Africa must inform other nations through provision of treaties signed by African
Peaceful setting of disputes: Any conflict that occurred between European nations was to be settled peacefully between the conflicting
King Leopold II to colonize Congo: Congo was given to King Leopold II as the conference recognized her
Principle of effective occupation or control: European power which claims to any part of Africa would be recognized by the other powers if it was effectively occupied by such European power lie under this The claimants were supposed to develop the areas through their missionaries trading companies’ explorers starting plantations and other economic activities.
Freedom of navigation: the conference declared that Congo, the Niger River and other big rivers as free zones for international navigation e. Niger River under the authority of Great Britain and Congo River under the authority of Belgium. This means that the area was not supposed to be under control of one particular nation.
Mutual agreement in drawing boundaries: There should be mutual agreement between two nations in drawing of boundaries.it was agreed to fix boundaries i.e. to divide up the African continent so as to create separate colonies where each European nation would be legally responsible to establish colonial
Free operation of missionary activities: Missionaries were to operate free in every colony without any
The principle of fixing of boundaries: it was agreed to fix boundaries so as to create colonies where each Europeans nation will be legally responsible to establish colonial rule.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BERLIN CONFERENCE TO COLONIAL POWERS
It resolved the international rivalries that involved in areas like Congo, Egypt and
It speeded the partition of Africa under the principle of effective
The Conference highlighted the unity and degree of cooperation among European
The Conference opened the interior of African land for
It avoided the possibility of the emperior powers to inter into war during the scramble for
It led to the setting of colonial boundaries in African
IMPACTS OF BERLIN CONFERENCE IN AFRICA
QN: Examine six consequences of Berlin in African colonies
Berlin conference had a lot of impacts to African continent. Some of these impacts were as follows:-
It has intensified scramble for This later on led to misunderstanding between European nations, something which led to the emergence First World War.
It has laid down rules and principles for colonizing Therefore it legalized the colonization of Africa.
It has solved hostilities among imperialist E.g. Britain and France over Egypt.
It has led to the drawing of African map and making of boundaries. This led to division of Africans g. Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania.
It has led to division of Africa .Africa was divided into colonies among European nations.
It has led to influx of Europeans in Africa who most of them were colonial officials and settlers who together came to colonize
It has led to total colonization of Africa (Loose of African control by themselves).