1. Berlin Conference and colonization of Africa By Jeff Spanheimer

2. Colonization and the “Scramble for Africa”  one of the main reasons the European powers went to Africa in the first place was because in the mid 1800s they began to industrialize, which means they needed resources.  Nationalism also played a big role. When one European country went to Africa and began colonizing it sparked the “scramble for Africa”, where European nations (mostly Germany, France, Britain) colonized most of Africa in only 25 years(1885- 1910).  the way these European powers took these colonies was either by military force, or sign a treaty  These powers also made up the territories and drew their own boundaries which would separate people with same customs and bring people with different customs into new areas which sometimes created conflict.

3.  The European Nations ruled their colonies in one of the four ways: Economic companies,which large buiseness in large territores exploite natural resources and have a charter with the European Nations.  another way is Direct rule which the Europeans would set up centralized administrations that were intended to "civilize" the African country by making them more like Europe.  the next from is Indirect rule which allowed indigenous African rulers to rule their own area.  the last way is settler rule in which European immigrants would come and live with them under direct rule.  With all of these things mentioned, Africa lost most of its customs and became more European with the rulers who took them over.

4. Berlin Conference  In Berlin, and lasted from 1884-1885  It was set up by the German Imperial Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck and included 14 countries  Goal was to negotiate the control of African territories, and suppressing internal slave trade.  The two most important areas that were being discussed was the Congo River and the Niger River basins because they would be key areas involved in trade.  Bismarck wanted to expand German influence and in doing so make German’s rivals fight each other over the territory.  Four most important countries in the conference who also had the most land in Africa were: Germany, France, Great Britain, and Portugal  The end result of them dividing territories were 50 separate countries in Africa.

5.  Before After Conference

6. bibliography   http://geography.about.com/cs/politicalgeog/a/berlinconferenc.htm Rosenberg, Matt. "Berlin Conference." Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. http://geography.about.com/cs/politicalgeog/a/berlinconferenc.htm. http://geography.about.com/cs/politicalgeog/a/berlinconferenc.htm   http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m7b/activity2.php Exploring Africa. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m7b/activity2.php. http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m7b/activity2.php  Godfrey, Conor. "The Berlin Conference Continues to Plague Africa 125 Years After the Fact «." Web. 11 Apr. 2011..  http://africaanswerman.com/?p=1285 Godfrey, Conor. "The Berlin Conference Continues to Plague Africa 125 Years After the Fact «." Web. 11 Apr. 2011..