Final answer:
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, organized by Otto von Bismarck, divided Africa into spheres of influence for European powers without African input. This division often overlooked existing African political and ethnic boundaries, leading to future conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference was held in 1884-1885. It was convened by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to bring order to the competitive colonization of Africa by European powers. Representatives from 13 European countries as well as the United States were in attendance, but no African representatives were present except for the Ottoman provinces along the Mediterranean. The primary goal of the conference was to establish a clear method for the division of Africa to avoid conflict between European nations over territorial claims.
The conference divided Africa into spheres of influence, conquest, and trade among the European powers. Regrettably, the boundaries drawn during this conference often ignored existing political and ethnic divisions within Africa, laying the groundwork for future conflicts and issues with national identity. This division was driven by a need to secure power and control rather than any sincere economic motivations, as the true wealth of Africa's resources was still largely unknown to Europeans at the time.
The result of the conference was a comprehensive split of the African continent among European powers, without any input from the African people themselves. This outcome reflects the imperialistic attitudes and disregard for native populations that characterized the era. The Scramble for Africa was formalized through this event, setting the stage for the European colonial presence in Africa that lasted until the mid-twentieth century.