Berlin Conference Reflection

One paragraph reflection on your groups performance and historical grab of land of Africa.

I thought we did very well regardless of the differences between our map and the actual Berlin conference. We put a plot of land towards the southern tip of Africa so it was accessible from the eastern side but we would still tap the raw resources and not be landlocked. Our second location was a port on Madagascar facing Africa and two more on the coast of Africa, therefore controlling the water way inbetween which would most likely serve for greater importance to control what went through that area. I thought our decision was more efficient than the actual since it was closer and we also had some tie to Madagascar.


You will identify who won, who lost, who did better or worse than expected.

I think the most prominent groups were France because they were very similar to the actual event and although their land was not important for resources at the time they would now be controlling a large amount of undiscovered oil. They were also very close to their home country which would be more efficient for an empire compared to an interspersed land ownership. I think we could have won as well because we had a good compromise between having the most amount of ports and on the eastern side to the best of its ability which would be having ties to Madagascar and resources.

Translate your in class experience to real life, how did the Berlin Conference effect Africa? Is its impact still being felt today?

The Berlin Conference effected Africa because it basically tore it apart in the most materialistic fashion in history. European nations wanted it merely for its resources and the power it came with. They were not concerned with the citizens or the effect it would have on their future and culture. I think the Conference added to the creation of many of the problems we see today as well as a lot of the flourishing. Obviously many people were torn apart but also, the areas with the closest ties to their home country adapted to be more like them like Morocco and France. This is an example of it still being seen today.