Scramble for Africa

• To avoid war among European countries, especially not to antagonize Britain, Bismarck organized and chaired the Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885 in Berlin.
• The Conference was held in order to divide the African continent among European countries peacefully.
• This division of Africa was referred to as the “Partition of Africa”. The results of the Berlin Conference were:
• Africa was partitioned among European Countries.
• European countries agreed to settle all border disputes between the countries involved.
• The was to be the effective occupation of all the territories acquired.
• All European Countries accepted the freedom of trade on all the major rivers and waterways.
• Areas already proclaimed as protectorates before 1884 were accepted and recognized.
• The European countries agreed to sign treaties with African Chiefs.
• The Congo Free State was to be given to King Leopold of Belgium.