For those of you who need a little refresher, the following is an excerpt from our favorite information resourse, Wikipedia:
The
Berlin Conference (
German:
Kongokonferenz or "
Congo Conference") of 1884–85 regulated
European colonization and trade in
Africa during the
New Imperialism period, and coincided with Germany's sudden emergence as an imperial power. Called for by
Portugal and organized by
Otto von Bismarck, the first
Chancellor of Germany, its outcome, the
General Act of the Berlin Conference, is often seen as the formalization of the
Scramble for Africa. The conference ushered in a period of heightened colonial activity on the part of the European powers, while simultaneously eliminating most existing forms of African
autonomy and self-governance.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Conference_(1884))
The reasons for this was that the final touches of terra incognita were explored, and interests in trade and the emergence of "spheres of influence" around the globe. Of the 14 signatories of the agreement, only 7 of these were granted lands and colonies: France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal; with the free states of Ethiopia and Liberia to remain independent. I will not go into detail about the Fashoda Incident, the Boer Wars, or any of the other tidbits. The map below is what would eventually take shape on the African Continent.
*Note: The remaining signators of the treaty were Austria-Hungary, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden-Norway (still in union until 1905), the Ottomans, and the United States (who did not actually participate).
Many of the problems in Africa today stem from this one meeting and 'carving up' of the continent, or as Joseph Conrad called it in his work
The Heart of Darkness, "the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs." The boundaries of current African countries are much in line with the original boundaries proposed at this Conference. Needless to say, the thousands of languages and ethnic groups native to the continent were ignored, as were the physical features of many locales.
Simply put, a group of well-to-do Europeans, who themselves had never been to Africa, sat down and started drawing lines on a map, arguing over who got what.
The French and British clashed over East Africa. The British and Portuguese clashed of South Africa. Italy tried to take Ethiopia, etc. Lots of mayhem. By 1902, 90% of the African Continent was in the hands of Europeans.
Now, there are many possibilities at this point of where to look for a proper PoD, if one should wish it. The Germans had in the previous 20 years taken on the Danes, the Austrians, and the French with resounding success. The British were doing their utmost worldwide to expand their holdings.
To keep it simple, I would like to hear others' opinions on what might/should unfold in the course of an Alternate Berlin Conference in 1884-85. Some things to consider:
--- Should the 7 other signatory powers have colonies?
--- Should the powers that be send out surveying teams?
--- Should the Congo Free State (Leopold's personal property) be something else?
--- What of Liberia and Ethiopia?
--- What if the United States took an active part?
--- What if the American Civil War produced a 15th signatory: the CSA?
--- Should the ethnic peoples (indigenous and other, i.e. Boer, Arab, etc) be taken into account?
--- What if the nominally Ottoman Egypt was not under British control?
These are but a few questions/possibilities. I would LOVE to hear more from the more respected/experienced members of this board. But above all, I would love to hear SOMETHING.