For a long time outsiders viewed Africa with curiosity, awe, and greed.  Foreign invasions were prevented for a long time due to
Africa's geography, but because of its size, surface features, climate, resources, and strategic importance, it became a prime
candidate for conquest by ambitious European empires.  Although Africa is physically remote from the power centers of
Europe, North America, and Asia, it is surrounded by water and can therefore be reached easily from the other continents.  This
meant that the Europeans needed to establish rules for dealing with one another if they were to avoid constant bloodshed and
competition for African resources.  The Berlin Conference established those ground rules.

The exploration of Africa by Europeans started with the Portuguese sailing along Africa's coast in
1450.  The success the Portuguese had on these voyages encouraged other European naval powers
to explore Africa. By the mid-nineteenth century, Europeans had established colonies all along the
African coast and competed for control.  The push for overseas territories was made even more
intense by the Industrial Revolution and the need for cheap labor, raw material, and new markets.  
The competition between the Europeans often lead to violent conflict.

This violent conflict was terribly wasteful, so Portugal suggested the idea of an international
conference that could settle the territorial disputes that arose from European activities in the Congo
region.  The Berlin Conference was held in Berlin between November 15, 1884 and November 26,
1885, under the leadership of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.

Although controlling the slave trade and promoting humanitarian idealism were promoted as the focus of the conference, the
conference only passed empty resolutions about the ending of slave trade and providing for the welfare of Africa.  In truth, the
result of the Conference was a method of dividing the continent of Africa between the European powers.
Article 34 of the Berlin Act states that any European nation that took possession of an African coast, or named themselves as
?protectorate? of one, had to inform the signatory powers of the Berlin Act of this action.  If this was not done then their claim
would not be recognized. This article introduced the ?spheres of influence? doctrine, the control of a coast also meant that they
would control the hinterland to an almost unlimited distance.  Article 35 determined that in order to occupy a coastal possession,
the nation also had to prove that they controlled sufficient authority there to protect existing rights such as freedom of trade and
transit.  This was called the doctrine of ?effective occupation? and it made the conquest of Africa a less bloody process.

The Berlin Act was an important change
in international affairs.  It created the
rules for ?effective occupation? of
conquered lands, ensuring that the
division of Africa would take place
without war among the European
powers.  Through the Berlin Act, the
European powers justified dividing a
continent among themselves without
considering the desires of the indigenous
peoples.  While this appears extremely
arrogant to us now, it seemed to them to
be the obvious extension of their
imperialism.  The Berlin Conference is
one of the most clear examples of the
assumptions and preconceptions of this
era, and its effects on Africa can still be
seen today.  The arbitrary boundaries the
Europeans imposed often divided an
ethnic group and also brought enemies
under the same government causing strife
that still exists today.

Sources:
Magstadt, Thomas M., Nations and Governments 2nd  Edition, St. Martins Press, New York, 1994.
Boahen, Adu A., General History of Africa Vol 11, Africa under colonial domination 1880-1935, University of California Press, Berkley, 1985.
Hinsley, F.H., The New Cambridge Modern History Vol XI, Cambridge University Press, London, 1962.
Edited by Jamie Griesmer; Researched by Frederick Skoglund; Written by Goran Aronson; March 1999
Copyright 1996-1999 by David W. Koeller. dkoeller@northpark.edu. All rights reserved. See North Park University