Understanding the Berlin Conference
The heralded Berlin Conference was held from November 1884 to February 1885. The European powers convened it to regulate and divide among themselves the continent of Africa. African development was changed by the conference: its borders, its economy and its future development.
Purpose Behind The Conference
When they were at that time, the European powers (Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and Belgium) were competing fiercely to expand their empires and to secure the resources it is worth. With wealth, Africa became ideal for colonization. The Berlin Conference was to prevent European powers from fighting over each others’ claims to land in Africa.
The Division of Africa
At the Conference, African countries were carved into artificial territories which the Europeans ignored the ethnic, cultural as well as the historical differences throughout the wide spread African populations. The map had drawn lines across what had been borders between indigenous societies, giving rise to artificial ones that continue to echo down through Africa to this day. The division to and subsequent colonization of Africa tore away traditional African political systems and created current conflicts in some regions.
Economic Exploitation
Africa’s vast natural resources were used by the European powers to further the European economic benefit. The main thing that was being extracted was minerals such as diamonds, gold etc. Such extracts and exports of Africa’s natural resources to Europe, with negligible regard for African development, eventually established a long enduring economic imbalance and underdevelopment for the African continent.
Cultural and Social Impact
Contact with Africa brought about great changes in African cultural and social fabric. As European powers established cultural norms, indigenous languages, traditions and customs were suppressed or marginalized. The ensuing erosion of African cultural heritage, and of European languages and customs, caused a loss of identity amongst many African communities.
Part of the Legacy of the Berlin Conference
Border Disputes and Conflicts
The Berlin Conference was held arbitrarily and the border disputes and conflicts created within Africa became lots both on the basis of the arbitrary border drawn in Africa at the time. Some of these conflicts have never really ended; much of the world divides us today in ethnic groups and nations which we fight even now. The conference legacy is part of the problems that are encountered in building political stability and peace on the continent.
Economic Inequality
The Berlin Conference still endures the economic inequality caused in Africa. Long term economic disparities were realized between Africa and the Western world due to the exploitation of resources by European powers. Poverty, uneven development and insufficient access to education and healthcare remain challenges the continent has to overcome.
Governing through Colonial Influence
As was the case with Europe, the European powers left many African countries to inherit colonial systems of governance. African political structure that existed in the colonization period had created impact o colonization, most of which includes authoritarian rule, corrupcion and Instability. The legacy of this remains to this day molding politics and governance of many African countries.
Conclusion
The Berlin Conference essentially changed (the history of) Africa. Still, its impact is visible in the political, economic or social landscape of the continent. Africa’s present day challenges have been shaped by Africa’s colonization and subsequent push to independence. Knowing the history of what happened at the Berlin Conference is essential to the modern day Africa and charting a better future.
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