How did the Berlin West Africa Conference shape the partition?

The Berlin West Africa Conference significantly shaped the partition by formalising European colonisation and territorial divisions in Africa.

The Berlin West Africa Conference, also known as the Berlin Conference, was a meeting of 14 European nations and the United States held between 1884 and 1885 in Berlin, Germany. The conference was convened to resolve the escalating tensions and conflicts among European powers over territorial claims in Africa. The conference resulted in the General Act of the Berlin Conference, which formalised the 'Scramble for Africa' and set the rules for the partition of Africa among the European powers.

The conference had a profound impact on the partition of Africa. It legitimised the colonisation of Africa by European powers, effectively sanctioning the division of an entire continent among themselves without any consideration for the indigenous populations. The conference established the principle of 'effective occupation', which stipulated that a power could only claim a territory if it had established a presence there and could control and administer the area. This principle led to a rush among European powers to establish colonies and protectorates across Africa.

The conference also set the rules for the negotiation of territorial claims among European powers. It stipulated that any claim to a territory had to be notified to other powers, and if no objections were raised, the claim would be recognised. This process led to the creation of artificial boundaries that often cut across ethnic and cultural lines, leading to long-term conflicts and tensions in Africa.

Moreover, the conference marked a shift in the justification for European imperialism in Africa. Prior to the conference, European powers often justified their actions in Africa on the grounds of trade and anti-slavery efforts. However, the Berlin Conference saw the emergence of the 'civilising mission' as a key rationale for European imperialism, with the European powers presenting themselves as bringing civilisation and progress to Africa.

In conclusion, the Berlin West Africa Conference played a pivotal role in shaping the partition of Africa. It formalised the process of European colonisation, set the rules for the division of territories, and legitimised the imposition of artificial boundaries and European control over Africa.