The 1884 Berlin
Conference
In the 1880’s, European interest in Africa went ballistic due
to the discovery of an abundance of gold, spices, tea,
opium, all kinds of raw materials ... and ... free
labor ... slaves.

The
Berlin Conference of 1884 regulated European
colonization and trade in Africa. It coincided
with Germany’s sudden emergence as an imperial power and
was organized by Otto von Bismarck. That is when
and where the Scramble for Africa was formalized.
It heightened colonial activity and eliminated most
existing forms of African autonomy and self-governance.
While the International African Society claimed its goal
as “CIVILIZING” the continent, the International Congo Society was
relatively more honest by declaring its goals as "ECONOMIC."
The French cartoon below depicted Africa as a cake being divided
by the conference attendees.
Among the astounding conference agreements were:
1) To own a colony, a European country would have to fly
its flag, have a treaty with a local leader, establish
an administration to govern with a police force to keep
order, and to make use of the colony economically.
If the colonial power did not do these things, another
power could do so and take over the territory. It
therefore became important to get leaders to sign a
protectorate treaty and to have a presence sufficient to
police the area.
2) Any fresh act of taking possession of any portion of
the African coast would have to be notified by the power
taking possession, or assuming a protectorate, to the
other signatory powers.
3) Spheres Of Influence were established wherein
the new owners must not interfere in each others businesses.
The Scramble for Africa sped up after the conference.
Expeditions were dispatched to coerce local rulers into
signing treaties, using force if necessary.
This is how Africa became "OWNED" by the Crewsailors.
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