Question

What was the purpose of the Berlin conference?

Answer 1

The Berlin Conference, held between 1884 and 1885, aimed to divide Africa among European colonial powers to reduce potential conflicts, exploit raw materials and expand markets. This decision, made without any African agency, has resulted in long-term discord and division within the African continent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Berlin Conference was a meeting held by European powers between 1884 and 1885 with the main purpose of partitioning the African continent amongst themselves — a phase known as the 'Scramble for Africa'. The conference aimed to divide Africa to reduce conflicts amongst European nations, increase access to Africa's valuable raw materials, and establish new markets for their goods. Importantly, this was done without any participation or input from African nations which led to the establishment of borders that did not consider the indigenous territories and political dynamics, hence resulting in long-lasting negative effects within Africa.

Each European country aimed to boost its international prestige, national pride, and military dominance over rivals through colonization. These territorial interests led to ramifications enduring until today as many African states continue to grapple with artificial borders and conflicts rooted in these colonial divisions.

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Answer 2

The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 was a meeting between European nations to create rules on how to peacefully divide Africa among them for colonization. Theconference was convened by Portugal but led by Otto von Bismarck, chancellor of the newly united Germany.