Question

Why did the European powers meet in Berlin in 1885?

Answer 1

Hint:The European nation expeditions led Germany to launch its own campaigns for the colonies, intimidating British and French politicians.

Complete answer: The Partition of Africa began at the Berlin Conference in 1884–1885. King Leopold II of Belgium hoped to pacify the rapidly escalating conflict by assuring France and Germany that normal trade in Africa was in the best interests of the three countries. At the initiative of the British and Portugal, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck called on the European and American delegations to formulate a joint policy for the 1884 Berlin Conference. This was done to formulated policies with respect to the African continent. The meeting began on November 15, 1884, and lasted until the end of February 26, 1885. The number of countries varied but the 14 countries sent delegates to attend the Berlin Conference. These nations then went ahead and later signed the Berlin Act. At this meeting, all the important European states were welcomed. The nations included Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, France and Great Britain. The motivation behind why Europeans were invited was that they needed ownership over the province of Africa and that the general population of Europeans did not understand what was going on because they could not read.

Note: By 1914, 90% of Europeans seeking Ethiopia and Liberia were African countries alone. However, it should be noted that no African was invited to the Berlin meeting.