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# Imperialism in Africa: The Berlin Conference (1884) The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting where European nations discussed and established rules for the partitioning of Africa. The conference aimed to divide Africa amongst European countries peacefully. ## Key Players and Their Motiv...

# Imperialism in Africa: The Berlin Conference (1884) The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting where European nations discussed and established rules for the partitioning of Africa. The conference aimed to divide Africa amongst European countries peacefully. ## Key Players and Their Motivations: * **Portugal:** Initially focused on exploring the coast of Africa and acquiring coastal trading ports. Concerns over diseases in the interior limited their expansion. * **Belgium (King Leopold II):** The sole owner of the Congo Free State. He sought to establish Belgium as a global power through colonization. His aims included converting the Congolese to Christianity causing cruel treatment of the Congolese and motivated by a desire for world power. * **France:** Sought territorial gains primarily in areas in and above the equator, avoiding expansion too far from Europe because of constant competitions with England. ## Driving Forces: * **Resources:** The desire to acquire valuable resources in Africa motivated many European nations. * **Competition:** European nations competed for a greater share of Africa's land and resources. * **Missionary Activity:** Some nations aimed to spread their religious beliefs, specifically Christianity through colonial rule. * **Disease:** Concerns about diseases in the interior of Africa limited the extent of some European powers expansions. The resulting division and control of African territories significantly altered the political landscape and had lasting repercussions on the people of Africa.