how Africa was divided

In 1884, powerful European nations gathered in Berlin, Germany, to divide Africa among themselves. No African king, empire, or leader was invited. The decisions made inside that conference would change African history forever.

* political control using maps placed across conference tables.

To them, Africa had become a giant prize.

King Leopold II and the Congo

One of the most dangerous figures at the conference was King Leopold II of Belgium. Leopold presented himself as a humanitarian ruler who wanted to; * end slavery * spread civilization * help Africans

But behind those promises stood greed. Leopold desperately wanted control of the Congo region because of its enormous natural wealth. During the conference, European powers recognized his control over a massive territory called:

The Congo Free State

The name sounded peaceful. But what later happened there became one of the worst colonial horrors in African history.

Millions of Africans would suffer forced labor, violence, torture, starvation, and death under Leopold’s brutal system.

But at the Berlin Conference, European leaders approved it.

The Rules for Taking Africa