The Scramble for Africa describes the time period from 1880 to 1914 in which European countries quickly expanded their claims in Africa. In 1884 14 countries met at the Berlin Conference?

The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was convened to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa, effectively partitioning the continent among the major powers. It aimed to prevent conflict between European nations by establishing guidelines for claiming territory, including the principle of effective occupation. As a result, countries like Britain, France, and Germany rapidly expanded their empires, leading to significant political, economic, and social changes in Africa that have had lasting impacts to this day. The conference is often criticized for disregarding the rights and interests of African peoples.