Latest / The Rise of Colonialism: How Europe Divided the World — Fexingo History
The Scramble for Africa and the Berlin Conference
In 1884, European powers gathered in Berlin to carve up a continent without inviting a single African representative. This episode explores the diplomatic mechanics of the Scramble for Africa, focusing on Otto von Bismarck’s role as the host who wanted trade but feared war. We examine how the principle of effective occupation replaced vague claims, how King Leopold II of Belgium secured the Congo Free State through deception, and the immediate human cost of these borders drawn by compass and ruler. From the rubber terror in the Congo to the partitioning of West Africa, we look at the specific…
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