Berlin Conference

Sphere of Influence

A country or area that has power to influence or affect another country without actually having power.

Protectorate

A country that is controlled or protected by another.

Missionary

A member of a religious group sent into an area to perform ministry and spread of their religion and provide services such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.

Nationalism

Aggressive patriotism - an extreme form of this can lead to superiority over other countries

How did European Nations claim Africa?

Any European country could claim any African country by telling other nations it was theirs and showing they could control the area they claimed (effective occupation).

The Other

Coming into contact with anyone different from one's self.

What brought Europe to Africa?

Europe discovered expensive resources in South Africa and wanted to control the means of production such as labor, material, trade, and land.

How does nationalism for Europe play into the Berlin Conference?

Nationalism in Europe plays into the Berlin Conference because Europe thought that they were superior and perfect compared to Africa so they wanted to help civilize the indigenous people.

How was nationalism of Africa effected by the Berlin Conference?

Nationalism of Africa was effected by the Berlin Conference because Europe basically told Africa that Europeans were better than they were so they should change to be more "civilized" like Europeans.

Effective Occupation

The ability to acquire land and prove the ability to hold that land.

How is power distributed in the Berlin Conference?

Power is distributed by whoever conquers the land first by war.

Why was the Berlin Conference held?

The Berlin Conference was intended to reduce the conflict between European Nations and discard the slave trade, but ultimately divided up Africa to the European Nations.

What were the major problems with the Conference?

Some problems with the Conference was that it was based in racist assumptions (Social Darwinism), done for the benefit of Europeans, there was no thought given to language or cultural groups in Africa when the division occurred, and no African leaders were invited.

How is the Berlin Conference an example of colonialism?

The Berlin Conference is an example of colonialism because Europe, a colonized continent, established political control of territories in Africa, a foreign land, for economic benefits.

What was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was a method of dividing the continent of Africa between the European Powers.

When was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was held from 1884 - 1885.

Where was the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference was held in Berlin?

Who is considered the Other in the Berlin Conference?

The Europeans are considered the Other in this situation because they believed that Africans were different and uncivilized.

Raw Materials

The basic needs to make a product.

Balance of Power

The equal distribution of power in a situation. When there is too little or too much power, there is typically injustice.

Imperialism

The policy or action by which one country forcefully gains and keeps control of another country or territory. Most often, countries use military means to gain economic and political control in other countries.

Colonialism

The policy or practice of a country installing a settlement of its people on foreign land. Usually, this country also quickly establishes political control over the other land. This typically happens for economic benefits of the more powerful country.

Social Darwinism

The theory that human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection as Charles Darwin had perceived in plants and animals. According to the theory, the weak were diminished and their cultures delimited while the strong grew in power. Concept of "survival of the fittest".