The
Berlin Conference
1884
For
a long time outsiders viewed Africa
with curiosity, awe, and greed. Foreign invasions were prevented for a
long time due to its geography, but because of its size, surface features,
climate, resources, and strategic importance, it became a prime candidate for
conquest
by ambitious European empires. Although Africa is physically remote
from the power centers of Europe, North America, and Asia, it is surrounded
by water and can therefore be reached easily from the other continents.
This meant that the Europeans needed to establish rules for dealing with one
another if they were to avoid constant bloodshed and competition for African
resources. The Berlin Conference established those ground rules. The
exploration of Africa by Europeans started with the Portuguese
sailing along Africa's coast in 1450. The success the Portuguese
had on these voyages encouraged other European naval powers to explore Africa.
By the mid-nineteenth century, Europeans had established colonies all along
the African coast and competed for control. The push for overseas
territories was made even more intense by the Industrial
Revolution and the need for cheap labor, raw material, and new
markets. The competition between the Europeans often lead to violent
conflict. This
violent conflict was terribly wasteful, so Portugal suggested the idea of an
international conference that could settle the territorial disputes that
arose from European activities in the Congo region. As a result of
these territorial disagreements, the Berlin Conference arose in November 1884.
The conference was held in Berlin between November 15, 1884 and November 26,
1885, under the leadership of German Chancellor Otto von
Bismarck.
Although controlling the slave trade and promoting humanitarian idealism were
promoted as the focus of the conference, the conference only passed empty
resolutions about the ending of slave trade and providing for the welfare of
Africa. In truth, the
result of the Conference was a method of dividing the continent of Africa
between the European powers. Article
34 of the Berlin Act states that any European nation that took possession of
an African coast, or named themselves as “protectorate” of one, had to inform
the signatory powers of the Berlin Act of this action. If this was not
done, then their claim would not be recognized. This article introduced the
“spheres of influence”
doctrine, the control of a coast also meant that they would control the
hinterland to an almost unlimited distance. Article 35 determined that
in order to occupy a coastal possession, the nation also had to prove that they
exercised sufficient authority there to protect existing rights such as
freedom of trade and transit. This was called the doctrine of
“effective occupation”
and it made the conquest of Africa a less bloody process. The
Berlin Act was an important change in international affairs. It created
the rules for “effective occupation” of conquered lands, ensuring that the
division of Africa would take place without war among the European
powers. Through the Berlin Act, the European powers justified dividing
a continent among themselves without considering the desires of the
indigenous peoples. While this appears extremely arrogant to us now, it
seemed to them to be the obvious extension of their imperialism. The
Berlin Conference is one of the most clear examples of the assumptions and
preconceptions of this era, and its effects on Africa can still be seen
today. The arbitrary boundaries the Europeans imposed often divided an
ethnic group and also brought enemies under the same government causing strife
that still exists today.
The boundaries of present day Africa
were largely determined at the Congress of Berlin. Bibliography:
Magstadt,
Thomas M., Nations and Governments 2nd Edition, St. Martins
Press, New York, 1994. Boahen,
Adu A., General History of Africa Vol 11, Africa under colonial domination
1880-1935, University of California Press, Berkley, 1985. Hinsley,
F.H., The New Cambridge Modern History Vol XI, Cambridge University
Press, London, 1962. Edited by Jamie Griesmer |
