Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period and coincided with Germany's sudden emergence as an imperial power. The conference was organized by Otto von Bismarck, the first chancellor of Germany. Its outcome, the General Act of the Berlin Conference, can be seen as the formalisation of the Scramble for Africa, but some scholars of history warn against an overemphasis of its role in the colonial partitioning of Africa and draw attention to bilateral agreements concluded before and after the conference.

The conference of Berlin, as illustrated in "Die Gartenlaube"

The conference of Berlin, as illustrated in "Illustrierte Zeitung"

Quotes

• The labours which we are about to undertake to regulate and develop the commercial relations of our countrymen with that Continent, and to render a service alike to the cause of peace and humanity.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, THE BERLIN ACT AND COMMERCE, Page 56. Prince Bismarck, Commenting upon the work of the Conference in his inaugural speech.

• Wares of whatever origin, imported into these regions, under whatsoever flag, by sea or river, or overland, shall be subject to no other taxes than such as may be levied as fair compensation for expenditure in the interest of trade, and which for this reason must be equally borne by the subjects themselves and by foreigners of all nationalities. All differen- tial dues on vessels, as well as on merchandise, are forbidden.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, AUTHORIZED TAXES, Page 65. Protocoled et Acte general de la Conference de Berlin, p. 85.

• The rate of the taxes of compensation is not fixed in any definite manner. The support of foreign capital ought to be placed, with commercial freedom, amongst the most useful aids to the spirit of enterprise, whether it has reference to the exe- cution of works of public interest or whether it has in view the development of the cultivation of the natural products of the African soil. But capital only goes, in general, to places where the risks are sufficiently covered by the chances of profit. The Commission has therefore thought that there would result more disadvantages than advantages from binding too strictly, by restrictions arranged in advance, the liberty of action of public powers or of concessions. If abuses should arise, if the taxes threatened to attain an excessive rate, the cure would be found in the interest of the authorities or of the contractors, seeing that commerce, as experience has more than once proved, would turn away from establishments the access to, or use of, which had been rendered too burdensome.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, AUTHORIZED TAXES, Page 65-66. Protocolet et Acte general de la Conference de Berlin, p. 2.

• The doctrine of state ownership of land established since 1890 is the exact opposite of free trade, the new doctrine is reprehensible, going against both the natural rights of the indigenous people who will be deprived, and the rights of the Imperial powers as determined in the act of Berlin.
  • Leopold II, Het hele Verhaal, Johan Op De Beeck Horizon, 2020 ISBN 9789463962094, Émile Banning criticizes a notorious Royal Decree by King Leopold II, that had turned parts of the Congo Free State into giant forced labor camps.

• Freedom of trade and navigation in the Congo Basin, exclusion from any differential treatment, assimilation of foreigners to nationals in civil and commercial terms, prohibition of entry rights for twenty years, condemnation of trafficking. There is only one downside: the African work does not have the international character that he would have liked.
  • All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), Emile Banning (1836-1898): The Don Quichotte of the ‘liberal civilization’ in Congo Banning was able to leave the Berlin Conference with his head held high, however, as many of its principles had triumphed tentatively and theoretically. On the so-called division of Africa, which took place in the wings of the International Conference of Berlin between November 1884 and February 1885, see WESSELING, H. Divide and Conquer, 148-153.

• Everything seems to indicate that a decisive hour has sounded in the history of the world, the hour when an almost virgin continent and ignored races will cooperate in the work of humanity.
  • All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), Emile Banning (1836-1898): The Don Quichotte of the ‘liberal civilization’ in Congo As Leopold II develops an increasingly authoritarian policy after the Berlin conference to consolidate the Congo Free State financially and diplomatically, Banning dreams of civilizing the "forgotten races" of black Africa BRUHAT, J. “Emile Banning”, 47.

• Congo is the oldest independent country in Africa, after Ethiopia (800 BC) and Liberia (1847). The only country that was not colonized in Berlin!
  • The Greatest Fake News of All Time: Leopold II, the Genius and Builder King of Lumumba, Chapter: A Story never told before, page 29, Marcel Yabili, Lubumbashi, AFNIL, 2021. ISBN 9791094969809

Quotes from the American Delegation

• The present condition of Central Africa reminds one much of that of America when that continent was first opened up to the European world. How are we to avoid a repetition of the unfortunate events, to which I have just alluded, amongst the numerous African tribes? How are we to guard against exposing our merchants, our colonies and their goods to these dangers? How shall we defend the lives of our missionaries and religion itself against the outburst of savage customs and barbarous passions? Finding ourselves in the presence of those whom we are urging to undertake the work of civilization in Africa, it is our duty to save them from such regrettable experiences as marked the corresponding phase in America.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, THE WORK OF THE BERLIN CONFERENCE, Page 54. Protocolet et Acte general de la Conference de Berlin, p. i85. Report read by Mr. Kasson at the meeting of the Committee on December 10. 1884

• Modern international law follows closely a line which leads to the recognition of the right of native tribes to dispose freely of themselves and of their hereditary territory. In conformity with this principle, my Government would gladly adhere to a more extended rule, to be based on a principle which should aim at the voluntary consent of the natives whose country is taken possession of, in all cases where they had not provoked the aggression.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, RIGHTS OF THE NATIVES, Page 85. Kasson had stated in the sitting of January 31, 1885.

Quotes from the Belgian Delegation

Cartoon depicting Leopold 2 and other emperial powers at Berlin conference 1884

• The slave trade has another character; it is the very denial of every law, of all social order. Man-hunting constitutes a crime of high treason against humanity. It ought to be repressed wherever it can be reached, on land as well as by sea.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, THE ORIENTAL SLAVE-TRADE, Page 132. Lambermont at the Berlin Conference.

• No doubt whatever exists as to the strict and literal sense which should be assigned to the term in commercial matters. It refers exclusively to traffic, to the unlimited power of every one to sell and to buy, to import and to export products and manufactured articles. No privileged situation can be created under this head, the way remains open without any restrictions to free competition in the domain of commerce, but the obligations of local Governments do not go beyond that point.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, COMMERCIAL FREEDOM, Page 59. Baron Lambermont's report, included in the fourth protocol of the Berlin Conference.

• It is experience, which will then inspire the interested Powers with the most favourable resolutions for the development of commercial progress in their possessions.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, EXEMPTION FROM CUSTOMS DUES, Page 64. Baron Auguste Lambermont, Protocoles et Acte general de la Conference de Berlin, p. 238.

Quotes from the British Delegation

• The Conference, should draw up a separate convention, applicable throughout the world, and destined to form a complement of the international law on this subject.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, THE ORIENTAL SLAVE-TRADE, Page 132. British Plenipotentiary at the Berlin Conference.

• As to the question whether this modification is opportune, the fact must not be lost sight of that the Berlin Conference never intended to fix unalterably the economic system of the Free State, which, as was already then foreseen, would undergo radical modifications under the influence of progress, nor of establishing for an indefinite period regulations which may hinder, check, and even arrest its development. Provision was wisely made for the probability of future changes, which would require a certain latitude in economic matters in order to secure their easy realization... The moment has now come when the marvellous progress made by the infant State is creating fresh needs, when it would be only in accordance with wisdom and foresight to revise an economic system primarily adapted to a creative and transitional period. Can we blame the infant State for a progress which, in its rapidity, has surpassed the most optimistic forecasts? Can we hinder and arrest this progress in refusing her the means necessary for her development? Can we condemn the Sovereign who has already made such great sacrifices to support for an indefinite period a burden which daily becomes heavier, and at the same time impose upon him new and heavy expenses necessitated by the suppression of the slave-trade? We are convinced that there will be but one answer to these questions.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, NEW HONOURS FOR THE FREE STATE, Page 144. Lord Vivian, the British Minister at meeting of the Brussels Conference Act on May 10, 1890.

Quotes from the French Delegation

• It would never do, to renew the colonial experience gained in the sixteenth century, when Colonies were brought to ruin by those who pretended to fix in Europe, from a purely metropolitan point of view, their financial and administrative existence.
  • New Africa; an essay on government civilization in new countries, and on the foundation, organization and administration of the Congo Free State, EXEMPTION FROM CUSTOMS DUES, Page 64. Baron Alphonse Chodron de Courcel, Protocoles et Acte general de la Conference de Berlin, p. 41.

Quotes from The Act of Berlin

• All the powers exercising sovereign rights in the said territories will protect and promote, without distinction of nationality and religion, all religious, scientific and charitable institutions and enterprises.
  • Inculturation of Christian marriage in the Belgian Congo. 1919-1950. The Policy Making of the Mission Superiors on Polygamy; their directives to the missionaries and influence on the policy of the State. (Betty Eggermont) CHAPTER 3. THE COLONIZING GOVERNMENT. quoted by TSHIBANGU (T.), The evolution of the themes of the assemblies of superiors and bishops of the Catholic missions of Zaire. in The Catholic Church in Zaire. A century of growth (1880-1980). Kinshasa-gamba, General Secretariat of the Episcopate, 1980, p.316.

• The trade of all nations shall enjoy complete freedom in the Conventional basin of the Congo.
  • Casement Report, Page 17. Article I of the Act of Berlin.

• No monopoly or favour of any kind in matters of trade.
  • Casement Report, Page 17. Article V of the Act of Berlin.

See Also

• Scramble for Africa
• Colonialism
• Brussels Anti-Slavery Conference
• Congo Free State

External links

• Geography.about.com - Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 to Divide Africa.
• "The Berlin Conference", BBC In Our Time
• General Act of the Berlin Conference. South African History Online.

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