The Berlin Conference

Open Ended

What do you think might happen if countries from one part of the world met to decide how to divide up another part of the world without involving the people who live there? Why do you think this could be important to understand?

Objective

- I can describe the outcomes of the
Berlin Conference and how it impacted
the division of Africa.

Puedo describir los resultados de la
Conferencia de Berlín y su impacto en la
división de África.

Objetivo

Understanding the Berlin Conference and Its Impact on Africa

Introduction to the Berlin Conference

●The Berlin Conference took place from 1884 to 1885.

●It was convened by European powers to discuss the colonization
of Africa.

●No African leaders were present at the conference.

Multiple Choice

When did the Berlin Conference take place?

• 1880 to 1881

• 1884 to 1885

• 1890 to 1891

• 1900 to 1901

Multiple Choice

When was the Berlin Conference held?

• June-July of 1912

• November 1884 - Feb 1885

• January 1812 - March 1813

• August - December 1900

Major Participants

●Key European nations included Britain, France, Germany,
Belgium, and Portugal.

●Each nation aimed to expand its empire and influence in Africa.

●The conference was led by German Chancellor Otto von
Bismarck.

Multiple Choice

Who organized the Berlin Conference?

• Helga, Danequeen of Finland

• Prince Phillip, the Old Bull

• Otto Von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor

• Dr. Regilian Zues, Voice of the Tempest

Key Objectives of the Conference

●To establish rules for the division of Africa among European
nations.

●To prevent conflict between European powers over African
territories.

●To promote trade and economic interests in Africa.

Multiple Choice

Who convened the Berlin Conference?

• African leaders

• Asian countries

• European powers

• American states

Multiple Choice

What was one of the key objectives of the conference?

• To establish rules for the division of Africa among European nations.

• To establish new languages in Africa.

• To create new countries in Europe.

• To promote tourism in Africa.

Multiple Choice

What was the main topic of discussion at the Berlin Conference?

• Trade agreements

• Colonization of Africa

• Climate change

• Technological advancements

Outcomes of the Conference

●Africa was divided into territories controlled by European nations.

●Borders were drawn without regard for ethnic or cultural groups.

●The conference set the stage for the "Scramble for Africa."

Impact on Political Landscape

●New colonial governments were established across Africa.

●Traditional power structures were disrupted or dismantled.

●European nations prioritized their interests over local
governance.

Effects on Ethnic Groups

●Ethnic groups were often split between different colonial
territories.

●Conflicts arose due to arbitrary borders and cultural divisions.

●Many communities lost their autonomy and traditional ways of
life.

Resistance and Reactions

●Various African groups resisted colonization through revolts and
wars.

●Some leaders sought to negotiate with European powers.

●Resistance movements were often met with violence and
repression.

Multiple Choice

Who were the 4 major powers involved in the discussions at the Berlin Conference?

• France, Germany, Britain, Portugal,

• Russia, US, Japan, China

• Spain, Italy, Scotland, Denmark

• Belgium, Greece, Finland, Egypt

Long-term Consequences

●Colonial rule led to economic exploitation of African resources.

●The legacy of colonialism contributed to ongoing conflicts and
instability.

●Many African nations struggled with national identity
post-independence.

Reflection on the Conference

●The Berlin Conference is often viewed as a symbol of
imperialism.

●It highlights the disregard for African sovereignty and rights.

●Understanding this history is crucial for addressing contemporary
issues.

Multiple Choice

What was another objective of the conference?

• To prevent conflict between European powers over African territories.

• To build new cities in Africa.

• To teach European history in Africa.

• To create a new currency for Africa.

Multiple Choice

What was the third key objective of the conference?

• To promote trade and economic interests in Africa.

• To establish new sports in Africa.

• To create a new language for Africa.

• To build new schools in Europe.

Connecting to Today

●The effects of colonialism are still felt in many African nations
today.

●Issues like ethnic conflict and political instability can be traced
back to this period.

●Understanding this history helps us engage with current global
issues.

Multiple Choice

What was established across Africa according to the impact on the political landscape?

• New colonial governments

• New educational systems

• New trade routes

• New cultural festivals

Multiple Choice

How did various African groups resist colonization?

• By forming alliances with European powers

• Through revolts and wars

• By migrating to other continents

• By adopting European cultures

Multiple Choice

What did some leaders do in response to European colonization?

• They ignored the European powers

• They sought to negotiate with European powers

• They moved to other countries

• They adopted European languages

A Scramble for

Colonies

• King Leopold II of Belgium hired

Henry Stanley to explore the Congo
River basin and arrange trade treaties
with African leaders in 1879

• Leopold dreamed of conquest and

profit, and his activities set off a
scramble by other nations to colonize
Africa

• In 1884, European powers met in

Berlin to attempt to peacefully
establish rules for the colonization of
Africa

Una lucha por las
colonias

El rey Leopoldo II de Bélgica contrató
a Henry Stanley para explorar la
cuenca del río Congo y organizar
tratados comerciales con líderes
africanos en 1879.
Leopoldo soñaba con la conquista y el

beneficio, y sus actividades
desencadenaron una lucha de otras
naciones para colonizar África.
En 1884, las potencias europeas se
reunieron en Berlín para intentar
establecer pacíficamente reglas para
la colonización de África.

A Scramble for Colonies

• At the Berlin Conference, European

powers recognized Leopold’s claims
to the Congo, but called for free trade
on the Congo and Niger rivers

• They agreed a European power could

not claim any part of Africa unless it
set up a government office there

• In the 20 years after the Berlin

Conference, the European powers
partitioned almost the entire
continent, redrawing the map with
little regard for traditional
settlements or ethnic boundaries

En la Conferencia de Berlín, las potencias
europeas reconocieron las reclamaciones de
Leopoldo sobre el Congo, pero pidieron el libre
comercio en los ríos Congo y Níger.
Acordaron que una potencia europea no podía
reclamar ninguna parte de África a menos que
estableciera una oficina gubernamental allí.
En los 20 años posteriores a la Conferencia de
Berlín, las potencias europeas dividieron casi
todo el continente, redibujando el mapa con
poca consideración por los asentamientos
tradicionales o las fronteras étnicas.

Multiple Choice

What was a common reaction to resistance movements?

• They were welcomed with open arms

• They were often met with violence and repression

• They were ignored by European powers

• They were supported by all African groups

Multiple Choice

What is the Berlin Conference often viewed as a symbol of?

• Democracy

• Imperialism

• Freedom

• Unity

Multiple Choice

The purpose of the Berlin Conference was decide which pieces of the African Continent should go back to the Native Inhabitants of the land?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What does the Berlin Conference highlight the disregard for?

• European unity

• African sovereignty and rights

• Economic growth

• Technological advancement

Multiple Choice

Why is understanding the history of the Berlin Conference crucial?

• For learning new languages

• For addressing contemporary issues

• For improving technology

• For economic development

Multiple Choice

African leaders had a major role in the Berlin Conference,

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Who was not present at the Berlin Conference?

• Africans

• Americans

• Japanese

• Russians

Multiple Choice

What impact did the Berlin Conference have on Africa?

• It allowed African nations to once again rule themselves

• It gave African's rule over their own resources

• It allowed the African continent to be colonized by European powers

• It resulted in the disappearance of the entire African continent from 1885-1949

Open Ended

3 things learned: Write down three key points from today’s lesson.

2 questions: Write two questions they still have.

1 connection: Write one connection to today’s world.

Open Ended

Grow: What could have been better in class today?  

Glow: What went well with class today?