The Scramble For Africa : How European Powers Divided A Continent

During the late 19th century, European powers engaged in what became known as the “Scramble for Africa,” a period of rapid colonization that culminated in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This meeting, where no African representatives were present, formalized the colonial partition of Africa among European nations.

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885)
- Organized by Otto von Bismarck of Germany
- Attended by 14 European nations
- Established rules for claiming African territories
- Created arbitrary borders with no regard for:
- Ethnic groups
- Traditional kingdoms
- Geographic features
- Cultural boundaries
- Historical trade routes

By 1914, approximately 90% of Africa was under European control, with only Liberia and Ethiopia maintaining independence. This colonial partition created borders and power structures that continue to influence African politics, economics, and social dynamics in the present day.