The Berlin Conference

What was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference, also known as the Congo Conference (German: Kongokonferenz) or West Africa Conference (Westafrika-Konferenz), was a conference held by the European Powers in 1884.

When was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was held in the winter of 1884.

Where was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was held in Berlin, Germany.

Who attended the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was attended by the major European Powers.

• ❖ The main European powers at the conference were Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
• ❖ It was significant that there were no African representatives at the conference.

Why was the Berlin Conference held?

There were two important reasons to hold the Berlin Conference.

• ❖ The European powers wanted to decide how they could divide Africa amongst their empires.
• ❖ They wished to agree on how to prevent conflict over their interests in Africa.

Why was the Berlin Conference significant?

There were four main reasons why the Berlin Conference was significant.

• ❖ As a result of the conference, the Europeans began the 'Scramble for Africa', which saw them take over virtually the entire continent.
• ❖ At the Berlin Conference, no attempts were made to understand the wishes and needs of the Africans.
• ❖ At the Berlin Conference, differences in traditions, race, culture, and the language of Africans were ignored. Europeans took what they could.
• ❖ This led to European domination of Africa, which has created political, economic and social problems in Africa in the present day.