Final answer:
The division of African territory among European countries during the late 19th century is known as the 'Scramble for Africa', which took place at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 without any African representatives present.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of dividing African territory between European countries has been called the 'Scramble for Africa'. This division largely occurred during the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where representatives from various European nations, along with the United States, met to determine territorial divisions without the presence of Africans. The rationale behind the scramble involved a combination of seeking new markets and raw materials, international prestige, and military dominance over rival nations. Despite the theoretical profits expected from the colonization, Europeans had little knowledge of the actual resources available in Africa, which made their aggressive expansion more about speculation and fear of other powers, particularly against the backdrop of American economic growth, than about known economic gains. The creation of arbitrary boundaries often disregarded existing ethnic and political divisions, leading to conflict and unrest that persisted even after African nations gained independence.