Portugal and Great Britain had created a treaty that allowed the Portuguese to control navigation of the coast (and the mouth of the Congo), but gave England freedom to navigate the river. This served both countries well and also allowed the British to suppress French expansionism. Other European nations opposed the treaty, recognizing that it gave both Portugal and Great Britain an advantage on a continent that had previously been ignored but had recently become important because of the growing trade in ivory, rubber, and palm oil. In addition, Germany was trying to establish itself as the preeminent power in Europe, so although Prince Bismarck was not particularly interested in colonies, he began to be uneasy about losing access to these areas because Germany failed to act before it was too late.
The Berlin conference managed to form a set of rules for the "orderly extension of European influence" in Africa. First, the fourteen nations agreed there would be freedom of trade and navigation in the Congo Basin. Second, they agreed that any power that annexed territory or established a protectorate from that day forward would let every other country know immediately. At the same time, that country was responsible for establishing political stability, thereby guaranteeing effective occupation of those regions. They also agreed to put a stop to the slave trade, that "these territories may not serve as a market or means of transit for the trade in slaves, of whatever race they may be" (http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~jobrien/refere...
The boundaries of modern-day Africa were largely established by the Berlin Conference, and they were made without respect to any ethnic, cultural, or religious considerations. It established "effective occupation" of Africa while avoiding war between European powers. There is some argument over whether it set in motion the "scramble for Africa" or merely legitimized it, but either way, the Berlin Conference is a convenient marking point for the beginning of colonialism. Although the level of control varied from colonial power to colonial power (some powers preferred "direct rule" and others preferred "indirect rule), colonialism was the entrenchment of European power and modes of government in Africa. The establishment of European colonies marked the first half of the 20th century, while African attempts to free itself from foreign rule marked the second half.
Go To Page: 1
