BERLIN CONFERENCE OF 1884, AND ITS AFTERMATH ON AFRICA

Abstract 

Africa had lives peacefully before the advent of European colonial imperialism. We have had peaceful coexistence. Though the issue of language barer was rampant, yet there were hardly ethnic conflicts amongst African people. They fashioned a means to defend their territories and their weaker one such as the women and children. Africa never knew she was basking in the ecstasy of splendour until the incursion of European Colonial Powers. Before the early 1880s, Europeans had colossal occupation of African land, and created several spheres of influence. As events unfolds in the early 1880s the European Euphoria turned into clash of interest. Otto von Bismarck selfishly wanted to take charge of the Congo River Basin. Britain was in a chaotic mess with France over the joint control of the financial system of Egypt and many other countries wanted to have control of more colonies. The need to convene a meeting to calm issues came up; hence the Berlin Conference. It was a conference that carved out Africa for synthetic occupation, which was met to only satisfy the Hungry European nations and displease Africans who are to be the recipients of the decisions of the conference. Thus, no African Nation was invited to partake in the decision making process. The effect of the conference till date still pose as a gigantic monster to Africa and her people.

Key words: Africa, European occupation, Congo River Basin, Britain, Berlin Conference