Final answer:
The Berlin Conference General Act had different effects on various groups of people, depending on their roles and interests. It provided opportunities for European merchants and missionaries, indirectly benefited slave traders, posed challenges for African religious figures, and granted power to the European military.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Berlin Conference General Act had different effects on different types of people. Here is how it affected each group:
- European merchant: The Act provided the European merchants with new opportunities for trade and access to resources in Africa. It facilitated the establishment of trade routes and the expansion of markets for European goods.
- European missionary: The Act allowed European missionaries to spread their religious beliefs and establish missions in Africa. They saw it as an advantage to fulfill their mission of converting Africans to Christianity.
- Slave trader: The Act indirectly benefited slave traders by legitimizing the division of African territories. It created conditions that facilitated the capture and trade of enslaved people, which was a profitable venture for slave traders.
- African religious figure: The Act posed an obstacle for African religious figures as it disrupted existing political and ethnic boundaries. It forced different groups to live and work together, causing conflicts and weakening traditional religious institutions.
- Member of the European military: The Act was an advantage for European military personnel as it granted European powers control over African territories. This allowed the military to exert authority, maintain control, and suppress any resistance from the African population.