Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference was a meeting of Europe's Great Powers to divide the continent of Africa between them.

Purpose

Europe had a series of overlapping claims over the African continent that threatened to boil over into conflicts, such as the South African War between Britain and Holland.

Document Structure

Clauses

The continent was divided into spheres of influences and colonies between the European powers. In order to press a claim, the power must have a historical prescence in the region as well as the means to defend their claims. Each nation was able to press claims and gain control. Italy, for example, was able to gain control over Eritrea and Somalia.
In order to strengthen their claim, the North and South German Confederation merged into the German Empire. This managed to secure Namibia to the Germans.

Caveats

The nations of Ethiopia and Algeria managed to retain their independence. Algeria also expanded their border claims south into the Sahara Desert.This was due to the belief among the European powers that the region held little value.

Publication Status

The treaty became law in 1885 as the dignitaries from the European Great Powers agreed to the terms.

Legal status

The legal status of the Berlin Conference had held up until the outbreak of the Great War. Afterwards, many of the colonies changed hands among the victorious powers. However, at the fall of the Kingdoms of Holland and Occitania to communism, their colonies, particularly those in South Africa, went into a legal purgatory.

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

1884

Ratification Date

1885