The Berlin Conference 1884. (The Scramble For Africa) With the support from the British, and the initiative of Portugal, Otto von Bismarck, (The first German Chancellor ), called on representatives of Austria–Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia,Spain, Sweden-Norway (union until 1905) and The Ottoman Empire, to take part in the Berlin Conference to work out policy regarding Africa. Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity by European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance.

Before the conference, the competition in Africa was so fierce, that European countries feared war amongst themselves. To prevent conflict 14 Europeans nations met at this conference. To lay down rules for the division of Africa. These European countries divided the Continent with little thought about how the African ethnic and linguistic groups were distributed .

As the “scramble” for the continent’s riches got underway…..haggling…...and partitioning the African map. I have to make it clear that AFRICAN LEADERS WERE NOT INVITED TO THE MEETINGS REGARDING AFRICA’S FATE!!!!

This conference represented the Bismarckian “Curse of Berlin” on Africa.