Berlin Conference and what was its goal

Full Answer Section

        The conference resulted in the General Act of the Berlin Conference, which established a number of rules for European colonization and trade in Africa. These rules included:

• The principle of effective occupation, which held that a European power could only claim territory in Africa if it effectively occupied that territory.
• The principle of freedom of trade, which held that all European powers would have equal access to trade in Africa.
• The prohibition of the slave trade.

The Berlin Conference had a profound impact on Africa. The conference's rules led to the rapid colonization of Africa by European powers. By the end of the 19th century, almost all of Africa was under European rule. The conference also led to the establishment of artificial borders that divided African ethnic groups. These borders have been a source of conflict in Africa ever since. The Berlin Conference is often seen as a symbol of European imperialism in Africa. The conference's rules allowed European powers to exploit Africa's resources and people. The conference also had a lasting impact on Africa's political and economic development. In addition to the General Act, the Berlin Conference also resulted in the following:

• The creation of the Congo Free State, a personal fiefdom of King Leopold II of Belgium. The Congo Free State was a brutal regime in which millions of Congolese people were killed or maimed.
• The recognition of Portugal's claim to Angola and Mozambique.
• The establishment of a neutral zone in the Congo Basin.

The Berlin Conference was a major turning point in African history. The conference's rules led to the rapid colonization of Africa and the establishment of artificial borders that have been a source of conflict ever since.  

Sample Answer

   

The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, also known as the Congo Conference or the West Africa Conference, was a meeting of European powers that regulated European colonization and trade in Africa. The conference was held in Berlin, Germany, from November 15, 1884, to February 26, 1885.

The goal of the Berlin Conference was to establish rules for European colonization and trade in Africa. The conference was attended by representatives from 14 European countries: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway, and the Ottoman Empire. The United States was the only major power not invited to the conference.