The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 was organized by the chancellor Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg, known as Otto von Bismarck, was a conservative Prussian statesman who dominated German and European affairs from the 1860s until 1890 and was the first Chancellor of the German Empire between 1871 and 1890. In 1862, King Wi…
of Germany to address a number of diplomatic and political problems arising from this European expansion into Africa.
What was the Berlin Conference and what was its purpose?
What was the Berlin conference and what was its purpose? The Berlin conference took place in 1884-1885 and was also known as the Congo conference and the West Africa conference. The purpose was to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period.
What is the Berlin Conference and why is it important?
The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 was held to ease tensions in Europe over colonial claims in Africa. The conference opened the door for the full-scale colonization of Africa by European countries. A major issue between European countries, the navigation of the Niger and Congo Rivers, was resolved by the meeting.
What was the impact of the Berlin Conference?
The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, also known as the Congo Conference or West Africa Conference, regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period and coincided with Germany’s sudden emergence as an imperial power. The conference was organized by Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of Germany. Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa, but some scholars of history warn against …
What was the result of the Berlin Conference?
What happened as a result of the Berlin Conference of 1884 1885? Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, formalized the Scramble for Africa. The conference resolved to end slavery by African and Islamic powers. Thus, an international prohibition of the slave trade throughout their respected spheres was signed by the European members.
Why was the Berlin Conference organized quizlet?
Why was the Berlin Conference held? The Berlin Conference was intended to reduce the conflict between European Nations and discard the slave trade, but ultimately divided up Africa to the European Nations.
What is the Berlin Conference and why is it important?
The Berlin Conference, also known as the Congo Conference, was a summit held in 1884 and 1885. It was called by the German Empire to resolve the matter of African colonization by European powers.
Why did Bismarck organized Berlin Conference?
The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 was organized by Otto von Bismarck, the ؖ rst chancellor of Germany. The purpose of the Berlin Conference was to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa by identifying which European nations would be allowed to control which parts of Africa.
When was the Berlin Conference Organised?
1884Under support from the British and the initiative of Portugal, Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Germany, called on representatives of 13 nations in Europe as well as the United States to take part in the Berlin Conference in 1884 to work out a joint policy on the African continent.
What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?
During the colonial expansion, there were territorial claims of the colonists that overlapped. To resolve these claims and to establish control over the trade in African continent, a conference was called by Portugal and it was arranged by Germany. This conference was held at Berlin residence …
What countries attended the Berlin Conference?
This conference, known as the Berlin Conference, was attended by the diplomats of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States of America. Of all the nations, France, Germany, Great Britain, …
What was Otto von Bismarck’s plan?
Otto von Bismarck would come up with a backup plan, in case his original plans did not work out. Such a backup plan was known as ‘The Bismarck Plan’ and which later became famous as the ‘Plan B’. During the 19 th century, Africa was being seen as a source of untapped natural resources by the colonial powers of Europe.
What was the outcome of the Congo conference?
As an outcome of this conference, Congo would not only become a Belgian colony, it would come under the private domain of the Belgian King. It was also decided upon to maintain the neutrality of the African continent in case of a war.
Which country was under the control of the Belgian king?
The Democratic Republic of Congo, that was under the domain of the Belgian king, saw nearly half of its population perishing under the King’s rule. The European powers had failed to maintain the neutral status of Africa and it had been a theater to quite a few wars during the two World Wars.
Which colony was under German control?
Whereas, Mozambique and Angola became a part of the Portuguese colonies. Italy had Somalia and some parts of Ethiopia under its control. Namibia and Tanzania were under German control. The Spanish colony in Equatorial Guinea was one of the smallest.
Who was the first Chancellor of Germany?
This conference was organized by the first Chancellor of unified Germany, Otto von Bismarck. Here is a look at the significance of the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. This conference was organized by the first Chancellor of unified Germany, Otto von Bismarck.
What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?
In 1884, at the request of Portugal, German chancellor Otto von Bismark called together the major western powers of the world to negotiate questions and end confusion over the control of Africa. Bismark appreciated the opportunity to expand Germany’s sphere of influence over Africa and hoped to force Germany’s …
How many countries were represented at the Berlin Conference?
Countries Represented at the Berlin Conference. Fourteen countries were represented by a plethora of ambassadors when the conference opened in Berlin on November 15, 1884. The countries represented at the time included Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, …
Who was the king of Belgium during the Berlin Conference?
Despite its neutrality, part of the Congo Basin became a personal kingdom for Belgium’s King Leopold II. Under his rule, over half of the region’s population died. At the time of the conference, only the coastal areas of Africa were colonized by the European powers. At the Berlin Conference, the European colonial powers scrambled …
Which countries did the British control?
Great Britain desired a Cape-to-Cairo collection of colonies and almost succeeded through their control of Egypt, Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian Sudan ), Uganda, Kenya (British East Africa), South Africa , and Zambia, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), and Botswana . The British also controlled Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast).
What was the Berlin Conference?
Despite the name, the Berlin Conference was established under the regards of regulation including trade, colonization, and politically involved order throughout Africa.
Why was the Berlin Conference called the Berlin Conference?
Reasoning for the name, “The Berlin Conference,” is that when the 14 nations met to discuss territorial disputes within Africa, they met in Berlin, Germany. The conference was first, and foremost, organized by Otto von Bismarck, chancellor of Germany, and called upon by Portugal.
How many nations attended the Berlin Conference?
14 nations, those of which that had claimed and colonized land in Africa, attended the conference. Holding place of the Berlin Conference: Berlin, Germany. as shown in above map. At the point in time which the Berlin Conference took place, the continent of Africa was recognized, treated, and used as a part of the “New World Natives” meaning …
Why was colonization important in Africa?
Another impactful reason for great interest in colonization in Africa was the discovery of major natural resources throughout the continent. Imperial power, at this time, was beginning to arise into an unexpected and underestimated way of control.
The ‘Plan B’
Purpose of The Berlin Conference
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During the colonial expansion, there were territorial claims of the colonists that overlapped. To resolve these claims and to establish control over the trade in African continent, a conference was called by Portugal and it was arranged by Germany. This conference was held at Berlin residence of the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in the year…
Summary of The Berlin Conference
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The conference commenced from 15thNovember, 1984. The colonists would be given charge of their colonies, only if they were in a position to maintain their hold over it. No European nation would have any restrictions for trade in the African continent and the same was to hold true for the coastline of Africa. No extra tax was to be imposed on goods that were imported or exporte…
Significance of The Berlin Conference, 1884-85
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The African continent was randomly divided in about fifty countries. These did not take into factor any geographical factors or ethnicity. This forced apart people coming from a same background and belief system, whereas, in some cases, it compelled people from different school of thoughts to stick together. Repercussions of this partition can be felt in modern Africa even today as thes…