What were the objectives of Berlin Conference.

THE BERLIN CONFERENCE (1884 -1885)



Introduction

The Berlin conference was also the second stage in the colonization of Africa after the scramble for. This stage begun from 1880’s to 1890’s. It was characterized with the intervention of late corners, in the process of scramble and partition i.e. Italy and German after their unification they became powerful and industrialized thus search for industrial raw materials and markets. The conference was convened by Otto Van Bismarck in 1884/1885 and it was attended by 27 countries including all the imperialist power, like German Britain, France, Italy, Denmark, U.S.A etc. The major aim of the conference was to divert the world from war.




Objectives of Berlin Conference.

• To avoid military confrontation among the imperialist powers that was eminent. Among the imperialist powers especially after the joining of Germany as a late corner in the process after taking over colonies in Togo, Cameroon, South west Africa (Namibia) and what came to be known as Germany East Africa the present clay Tanzania Burundi and Rwanda. This increased the intensity of rivalries among the imperialist Nations in the scramble and partition of Africa. Thus the conferences aimed to easy the rivalries and solve the problem peacefully.

• To abolish slave trade and slavery in Africa and establish the so-called ‘legitimate trade’. Slave trade had been abolished long time in 1830’s. But still some European nations were still reluctant -a implement the resolution. This conference also aimed at emphasizing the abolition of slave trade in Africa and in place monopoly European companies were to be introduced to carry on the so-called ‘legitimate trade’ where European goods would be traded freely.

• To clear up the existing boundaries. This was the source of disputes among the imperialist powers. Especially between Britain and France who possessed indefinable areas of interest in West, Central and East Africa. And to define areas of effective occupation so that no any other country should claim the already occupied area.

• Bismarck also aimed on taming French hostilities, after her defeat in the Franco- Prussian war of 1871 where she lost her resourceful regions of Alsace and Lorraine to German.

• It aimed to enable German and Italy to join the process of scramble, following their unification, as the late corners after under going industrial revolution.

• It was also called as to maintain European balance of power among the European nations through equalize political and economic powers.

• Why was it called by German?

• German unification; made German to be the most powerful nation in Europe after defeatingFrance, Denmark and Austria the European balance of power was in her favor. That’s why she was able to command other European nations.

• · The industrialization of German; which made German to be in need of raw materials badly of, cheap labor and area for investment, thus she wanted colonies from Africa hence called the Berlin conference.

• · The role of Otto Van Bismarck, he was a very ambitious leader who wanted recognition by other European leaders thus the calling of the Berlin conference.

• · The late coming of German in the process of scrambling and partition of Africa. To enable her to acquire some colonies.

• · The hostility between France and German. Made Germany to call for this conference as to check on France expansionism in Africa, that may make her very powerful economically and militarily and able to revenge Germany in future.

• The rise of monopoly capitalism in German which made German to extend her influence beyond her boundaries.