what was agreed at the Berlin Conference?
any European country could claim parts of Africa by notifying other European powers
The Berlin Conference was a meeting held in 1884-85 between European powers to settle how Africa would be divided among them to prevent conflicts in the race for colonies. At the conference, the following agreements were made:
1. Free trade in the Congo Basin: All European powers agreed to allow free trade in the Congo Basin, regardless of which country controlled the territory.
2. Recognition of African claims: European powers agreed to recognize African claims to territory provided that they were effectively occupied and administered.
3. Scramble for Africa: The conference signaled the start of the Scramble for Africa, where European powers quickly moved to occupy and control large parts of the continent.
4. No African representation: No African natives were present at the conference, and their interests and concerns were not considered.
5. Territory division: The conference established the rules for the division of African territory among European powers, with the French, British, Germans, Portuguese, and Belgians getting significant portions of Africa.
Overall, the conference led to the domination of Africa by European powers, and the division of the continent through artificial borders that will cause conflicts for years to come.
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