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As European explorers raced to post flags, stake outposts, and make treaties with local chiefs, the Scramble for Africa increased tension amongst the imperialist powers. The French and British, for example, almost came to blows on the Niger River. How could the European countries resolve the conflicting land claims and treaties peacefully? Ironically, the reluctant imperialist from Germany, Otto von Bismarck, stepped in to negotiate an agreement. Though Bismarck had for decades rejected the pursuit of colonies as too costly, he too jumped into the fray when German citizens voiced their frustration that France and Britain were winning all the best possessions. In 1884, Bismarck changed his mind and raised flags in Cameroon, Togo, and Southwest Africa (Namibia). But, Bismarck, like other leaders, was worried that the Scramble could lead to another European war. So, Bismarck invited representatives from France, England, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and even the Ottoman Empire. No African ambassadors were invited to attend.
Bismarck opened the Berlin Conference on Nov 15, 1884, by reminding the ambassadors of Livingstone’s three Cs—commerce, Christianity, and civilization (UNESCO 15). Representatives sat around a large map of Africa and agreed to settle matters peacefully. There would be free trade in the Congo River area, free navigation on the Niger River, and an understanding on how to claim future territories. To Leopold’s delight, the group gave official approval for the Congo to be an international colony supervised by the King of Belgium. The final borders staked out for Leopold’s personal colony made the Congo 76 times the size of Belgium itself (Hochschild 87). King Leopold named it the Congo Free State to emphasize its status as an international free trade zone. In the end, Leopold’s Congo would not be free in any sense of the word. The conference ended with the General Act of Berlin, signed on 26 February 1885. In a follow up meeting at the Brussels Convention of 1890, Europeans importantly agreed to not sell arms to Africans (UNESCO 22). Obviously, no African army could defeat a European army without these weapons.
The Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa
“An irresistible movement is bearing the great nations of Europe towards the conquest of fresh territories. It is like a huge steeplechase into the unknown . . whole continents are being annexed . . . especially that huge black continent so full of fierce mysteries and vague hopes”
“An irresistible movement is bearing the great nations of Europe towards the conquest of fresh territories. It is like a huge steeplechase into the unknown . . whole continents are being annexed . . . especially that huge black continent so full of fierce mysteries and vague hopes”
—Jules Ferry, Prime Minister of France, 1890 (Pakenham 358).
—Jules Ferry, Prime Minister of France, 1890 (Pakenham 358).
Between 1880 and 1914, European imperial powers suddenly conquered almost all of Africa and partitioned it into formal colonies. Only Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent. Like a group of famished teenagers sharing a giant pizza, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain devoured the continent, with each scrambling to grab the most before their rivals could. Then the imperial powers nearly came to blows fighting over the remaining slices. In this short time, European countries seized 10 million square miles of land topped with 110 million bewildered Africans (Pakenham xxi). Why the impetuous rush to conquer Africa? Why had European countries colonized territory thousands of miles away in Latin America and Asia before they finally claimed the interior of Africa? And how did Africans experience and respond to the sudden onslaught?
Berlin 1885: The Division of Africa"
Berlin 1885: The Division of Africa"
On February 26th, 1885, at Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's official residence in Berlin, the "Berlin Conference on Africa" came to a successful conclusion. After three months of negotiations amongst the leading diplomats from all the major European powers (and the US), the "General Act of the Berlin Conference" had been agreed. And a large part of Africa's subsequent fate had been set in motion. For at a time when an estimated 80% of Africa remained under traditional and local control, the purpose of the Berlin Conference had been for the Great Powers to establish rules amongst themselves for the colonization of Africa and the exploitation of Africa's resources. Including the division of territory, the drawing of maps, and the establishment of Congo -- as a personal possession of the Belgian King. Not surprisingly, no Africans had been invited to the Conference.
UNESCO = United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(a specialized agency of the United Nations with the aim of promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture )
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