Final answer:
The Berlin Conference was a pivotal meeting in 1884-1885 where European powers, driven by imperialism, divided Africa to avoid conflict among themselves and laid the groundwork for colonization. No African representation was present, leading to borders that often ignored ethnic and cultural realities and ultimately resulting in long-term strife.
Step-by-step explanation:
Imperialism and the Berlin Conference
The expansion of European imperialism led directly to the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. The conference was a response to the competitive scramble among European powers to colonize Africa, resulting from a variety of factors including national pride, economic ambitions, technological advancements, and political maneuvering after the unification of Germany in 1871. Nations such as France, Britain, and Germany, as well as other European powers and the United States, sought to divide Africa into spheres of influence to ensure orderly colonization and to avert conflict among themselves. African representatives were notably absent in the decision-making process, which led to arbitrary borders that disregarded ethnic and cultural divisions, sowing the seeds for future conflicts on the continent.
After industrialization, the major European powers were driven to seek new resources and markets for their goods. This 'Scramble for Africa' peaked at the Berlin Conference, where European countries, without African input, divided the continent among themselves. Some agreements formalized existing colonies, while others established new dominions. This period marked the significant expansion of European colonialism across Africa, with far-reaching implications that lasted well into the 20th century and beyond.