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SHAWMUN 2017
Vancouver
Island's Largest
Model UN
Conference
THE SEVENTH
ANNUAL
SESSION
BERLIN
CONFERENCE
SHAMIM MOHAMED
DIRECTOR
YAQING VICTORIA YANG
CHAIR
WWW.SHAWMUN.COM
BERLIN CONFERENCE BACKGROUND GUIDE
SHAWMUN 2017
SHAWMUN 2017
VANCOUVER ISLAND’S LARGEST MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
March 1, 1884
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are faced with a situation that threatens the unity and prosperity of this powerful continent.
The scramble for the African continent has led to unnecessary tensions among our nations. It is
with honor that I invite you to a conference in Berlin where European powers and the United
States of America will be able to have discussions and come up with solutions to the current
conflict that we need to address.
Zain Karmali
Secretary-General
Cassia Nasralla
Director General
Mary Noh
USG Committees
Callum Ceyssens
USG Charge d’Affaires
Anders Farr
USG Media
It is our role and duty to the Lord to spread civilization and development to this barbaric world.
Thus, I call upon you to take up the white man's burden and help improve these non-developed
lands by offering our governance. It is no secret that the dark continent is filled with riches from
gold to timber that would help boost our economies. With mutual respect and collaboration we
will be able to exploit these resources without any rivalry.
The goal of the conference is to come up with policies on how territories will be acquired and
run so as to encourage free trade and strengthen our relations. We will also listen to any
suggestions or projects that countries might have on effective colonization.
Sam Postuk
USG Delegate Affairs
I am looking forward to seeing your presence at a conference that will hopefully shape a
monumental moment for our great continent.
Thomas Bergvinson
USG Delegate Affairs
God be with you,
Angus Brown
USG Marketing
Julius Mayer
USG Marketing
Halle Campbell
Chief of Staff
Bonita Chang
Member at Large
Isaac La Roy
Member at Large
Otto von Bismark II 1
BERLIN CONFERENCE BACKGROUND GUIDE
SHAWMUN 2017
POSITION PAPER POLICY
What is a position paper?
A position paper is a brief overview of a country’s stance on the topics being discussed by a particular committee.
Though there is no specific format the position paper must follow, it should include a description of your positions your
country holds on the issues on the agenda, relevant actions that your country has taken, and potential solutions that your
country would support.
FORMATTING
Position papers should:
- Include the name of the delegate, his/her country, and the committee
- Be in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman) with a 12-point font size and 1-inch document margins.
- Please do not include illustrations, diagrams, decorations, national symbols, watermarks, or page borders.
- Include citations and a bibliography, in APA format, giving credit to the sources used in research.
DUE DATES AND SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
Position papers for this committee must be submitted by
Once your position paper is complete, please save the file as your last name first and your first name last and send it as
an attachment in an email to your committee’s email address with the subject heading as your last name, your first name
Both your position papers should be combined into a single PDF or Word document file; position papers submitted in
another format will not be accepted.
Each position paper will be manually reviewed and considered for the Best Position Paper award.
Please send your position paper to [email protected] for it to be reviewed and considered for an award.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
POSITION PAPER POLICY
2
FORMATTING
DUE DATES AND SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
2
2
OVERVIEW
4
TIMELINE
5
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
7
PRECEDING TUMULT
CONGRESS OF VIENNA 1815
UNITY AND DISUNITY OF EUROPE
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
BALANCE OF POWER IN EUROPE
THE GREAT POWER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
ECONOMIC AND COLONIAL EXPANSION
CONGRESS OF BERLIN 1878
7
8
9
10
10
11
11
12
CURRENT SITUATION
13
AGENDA OF THE CONFERENCE
14
COUNTRY POSITIONS
14
BIBLIOGRAPHY
15
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OVERVIEW
The "long 19th century", from 1789 to 1914 saw the drastic social, political and economic changes initiated by the Industrial
Revolution, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The era of French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic wars created
great difficulty for the monarchs: Tsar Paul I of Russia was assassinated; King Louis XVI of France was executed, as was his Queen
Marie Antoinette. Furthermore, Kings Charles IV of Spain, Ferdinand VII of Spain and Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden were deposed as
were ultimately Emperor Napoleon and all of the relatives he had installed on various European thrones. King Frederick William III
of Prussia and Emperor Francis II of Austria barely clung to their thrones. King George III of England lost the better part of his
empire. Following the reorganization of the political map of Europe at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Europe experienced the rise of
nationalism, the rise of the Russian Empire and the peak of the British Empire, which was paralleled by the decline of the Ottoman
Empire. Multiple events tilt the balance of power in this continent, ruling monarchs of which were made intricately connected with
one another due to intermarriages. However, systems of allyship remained fragile and the constant wars and destabilizing events such
as the French Revolution strike the nerves of different countries.
Despite these stormy events, there was the accompanying industrial boom sparked by the industrial revolution in Britain and
subsequently spreading over to the rest of the world. Enabled by new technological possibilities, meaning the power of a country
rendered empires increasingly within reach. Steamship technologies solved the previous problems of settler's dying horses in the
hostile climate environment of the continent of Africa, and machine guns became the ultimate dagger. The defence in Africa suddenly
became feebly, and the vast riches within reach of the entire European continents.
In this tumultuous event, we have come to the year of 1884. As the European countries were wary of the war, they have agreed, under
the calling forth of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, to convene in Berlin to discuss new colonial expansion in Africa to avoid
"annexation without agreement". It is November 15, 1884. This conference will span the three months between November 1884 till 26
February 1885.
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TIMELINE
15th Century: Age of Discovery
15th Century: First Christian missions to Africa
1775–1783: American Revolution succeeded in creating a republican government under George Washington
1789–1804: French Revolution
1792 – 1821: Napoleon conquered much of Europe for the French
1750 -1850: English Industrial Revolution began
1798–1803: Egypt occupation by France then by Britain
1801-1802: War of the Second Coalition
1804: Napoleon proclaimed Emperor of France
1806: Occupation of Cape Colony in southern Africa by Britain
1815: Belgium independence from Spain
1815: Congress of Vienna
1820: Spanish Revolution
1821: Greek Revolution
1821: Death of Napoleon
1823: French invasion of Spain: France started its invasion of Spain, eventually succeeding and restoring the monarchy, ending the
Liberal Triennium.
1825: Decembrist Revolt
1829: Religious Reform of England, the Catholic Emancipation Act
1830: End of the Greek War of Independence; Greece wins their independence when Russia, France and Britain finally agree on the
terms of the Treaty of London
1830: Belgium gains independence
1830: Occupation of Algeria by France
1830/1832, July 31st: July Revolution in France
1848: Second Republic of France: February Revolution or French Revolution of 1848: Republican riots forced King Louis-Philippe to
abdicate and flee to England.
1848: Louis Napoleon Bonaparte starts his term as the first president of the French Republic; later on in 1851, he became Napoleon
III France.
1848: Karl Marx argued for socialism, revolutions occurred in Europe; issued Communist Manifesto
1850: Denmark sells its forts to the United Kingdom
1857: Britain financial crisis of 1857
1861: Italian Unification
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1866: Austro-Prussian War
1870: Beginning of the Third Republic
1871: German Unification
1873: Three Emperor's League
1876: International African society founded by King Leopold
1878: Formation of the International Congo society
1878-1885: Belgium sends sir Henry as an envoy to Congo to start negotiations for colonisations
1879: Austro-German alliance
1879: French Roman Catholic missions sent to Africa
1880: France occupies Tunisia
1881: France takes over Brazzaville and the Republic of the Congo
1882: Triple Alliance forms
1883: Anglo-Portuguese Agreement
1884: Portugal works with UK and Ireland to block off the Congo’s society access to the Atlantic.
1884: France takes over Guinea.
1884: Bismarck declares German protectorates over Togoland, Cameroon and South West Africa
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT
PRECEDING TUMULT
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
PRECEDING TUMULT
The French Revolution was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799 and was
partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire. It was triggered by the bankruptcy of France
after entering the American Revolutionary War, which compelled the King Louis XVI to convene the Estates-General, a
representative body of the country made up of three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The momentum to push for a
constitutional monarchy with fundamental rights of its citizens protected from the state. The Revolution overthrew the monarchy and
established a republic in 1792, experienced violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under
Napoleon that rapidly brought many of its principles to Western Europe and beyond. However, the history of the republic has been
tumultuous, as seen in the timeline of the Republics up to this point: First Republic (1792–1804), Second Republic (1848–1852),
Third Republic (1870–).
From the spring of 1792 onward, France sustained revolution and war at the same time. The Revolutionary Wars beginning in 1792
ultimately featured French victories that facilitated the conquest of the Italian Peninsula, the Low Countries, and most territories west
of the Rhine. Internally, popular agitation radicalized the Revolution significantly, culminating in the rise of Maximilien Robespierre
and the Jacobins. The consequences for France were momentous: in brief, the overthrow of the monarchy, the dictatorship of
Robespierre, the Reign of Terror, and the rise to power of General Napoleon Bonaparte.
The French monarchy was abolished by the newly elected assembly known as the Convention on September 22, 1792. After the
further victory of Jemappes on November 6, as a result of which the French occupied Brussels, the new Republic gained in selfconfidence and decided upon the trial of the King, who was subsequently executed on January 21, 1793. This added to the series of
tensions between France and Britain, leading to the declaration of war against Britain and Holland at the beginning of February,
against Spain in March, and against Hungary in April. This rapid expansion of war against to most of Europe outside of Scandinavia
was soon followed by French reverses. A revolt broke out in the western region of the Vendée in March; Dumouriez was defeated at
Neerwinden and the French were driven out of Holland in the same month.
The impact of war on the internal construction of France as well as the converse was immense. Universal conscription for military
service introduced by the Committee of Public Safety in August 1793, revolutionized modern warfare. The measures established a
novel and far-reaching principle: that in a time of emergency the state has the right to command the service of all its citizens. It
enabled France to put into the field of battle massive formations, organized and equipped by the genius of Carnot, against which the
older professional royal armies proved outmoded. The system laid a firm foundation for the military dictatorship of Napoleon. Of
necessity imitated by other countries, the system led eventually to the modern citizen-army and helped to turn war from a battle
between armies to a conflict between the whole nations.
The army assumed a greater role in foreign affairs. By the beginning of 1796, France's only active enemies on land were Austria and
Sardinia and at sea Great Britain. The Convention had made peace with Holland, Spain, and Prussia. By incorporating the former
Austrian Netherlands (Belgium) into France in October, it was committed to continuing the war against Austria, which would not
accept this loss; while British refusal to make peace, even after the breakup of the First Coalition (the coalition between Protestant
Dutch under King William the Orange, founder of the Netherlands, and King George III of Britain)(attempt to defeat the French
Republic by most of the rest of Europe), kept active the war at sea.
The Empire of Napoleon was established as a result of the great series of brilliant victories by which, within two years, he smashed
the Third Coalition of 1805. The height, or rather the most consolidated state, of the Empire, can be seen in the Treaty of Tilsit
reached between France and Russia privately. Annexed to France were Belgium, Nice, Savoy, Genoa, Dalmatia, and Croatia. As an
inner ring of satellite states were Holland (with Louis Bonaparte as king), the Confederation of the Rhine (formed in 1806), the
kingdom of Westphalia, the kingdom of Italy (formed in 1805 with Napoleon as king), the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (formed in 1807
mostly out of Prussia's Polish lands), and Switzerland. As allies, France had Bavaria and Wurttemberg, Denmark and Sweden, Spain,
Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Britain was diplomatically isolated. The Grand Empire and its allies have become so massive that it
covered the whole European mainland except the Balkans.
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CONGRESS OF VIENNA 1815
Congress of Vienna, assembly in 1814–15 that reorganized Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. It began in September 1814, five
months after Napoleon's first abdication and completed its "Final Act" in June 1815, shortly before the Waterloo campaign and the
final defeat of Napoleon. The settlement was the most comprehensive treaty that Europe had ever seen. Austria, Prussia, Russia, and
Great Britain, the four powers that were chiefly instrumental in the overthrow of Napoleon, had concluded a special alliance among
themselves with the Treaty of Chaumont, on March 9, 1814, a month before Napoleon's first abdication. The subsequent treaties of
peace with France, signed on May 30 not only by the "four" but also by Sweden and Portugal and on July 20 by Spain, stipulated that
all former belligerents should send plenipotentiaries to a congress in Vienna. Nevertheless, the "four" still intended to reserve the real
decision making for themselves. Below are two maps showing Europe in 1812 and 1815.
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The major points of friction occurred over Poland and Saxony, the conflicting claims of Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, and the
adjustment of the borders of the German states. In general, Russia and Prussia were opposed by Austria, France, and England, which
at one point (January 3, 1815) went so far as to conclude a secret treaty of defensive alliance.
The Final Act of the Congress of Vienna comprised all the agreements in one great instrument. It was signed on June 9, 1815, by the
"eight" (except Spain, which refused as a protest against the Italian settlement). All the other powers subsequently acceded to it. As a
result, the political boundaries laid down by the Congress of Vienna lasted, except for one or two changes, for more than 40 years.
The statesmen had successfully worked out the principle of a "balance of power". However, the idea of nationality had been almost
entirely ignored—necessarily so because it was not yet ready for expression. Territories had been bartered about without much
reference to the wishes of their inhabitants.
UNITY AND DISUNITY OF EUROPE
BBeneath the patchwork design suggested by a political map of Europe, there was a substratum of historical heritage and continuity.
Even when Europe suffered severe changes and considerable disintegration, enough of its past always survived to provide real
continuity. The greatest turbulence never destroyed all elements of the old order. Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Frankish
kingdoms, the Roman Catholic Church took over, in turn, this accumulating heritage, absorbing and often greatly transforming it, yet
never losing its essentials. From the 16th century, even while Europe itself was dividing with increasingly divided into separate
territorial kingdoms in large part due to the rise of nationalism and different religious beliefs, much of this common heritage is carried
on within the continent and into the new world. This was seen in the immigration to America, and would likely be underlying some of
the fundamental societal implications of imperialist behaviours of the European powers.
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A general monarchical dynastic system reduced conflicts between states to simpler categories of rivalries between a few large
families. The Bourbons of France and the Habsburgs of Austria had considerable intermarriages that provided most of the states of
Europe with their ruling monarchs. The "cousinhood of kings" remained even in 1815, an important factor in European diplomacy.
However, as the history of the continent has proven the instability and power struggle, the kinship only can maintain so much stability.
Consequent to the political and economic rivalries among the European empires in the last quarter of the 19th century, the partitioning
of Africa was how the Europeans avoided warring amongst themselves over Africa. The latter years of the 19th century saw the
transition from "informal imperialism", by military influence and economic dominance, to direct rule, bringing about colonial
imperialism.
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The industrial Revolution is the process beginning in Britain in the late 18th century, of change from an agrarian, handicraft economy
to one dominated by industry and machine manufacture. The technological changes included the following: the use of new basic
materials, chiefly iron and steel, (2) the use of new energy sources, such as coal, the steam engine, electricity, petroleum, and , , (3)
the invention of new machines (4) a new organization of work known as the factory system, which entailed increased division of
labour and specialization, (5) radicalized developments in transportation and communication, including the steam locomotive,
steamship, automobile, airplane, telegraph, and radio, and (6) the increasing application of science to industry. These technological
changes made possible a tremendously increased use of natural resources and the mass production of manufactured goods.
Aware of their head start, the British forbade the export of machinery, skilled workers, and manufacturing techniques, thus contained
the revolution mainly within Britain until 1830s. Belgium followed thereafter, concentrating its revolution in coal, iron, and textile.
While Britain was establishing its industrial leadership, France was immersed in its Revolution, and the uncertain political situation
discouraged large investments in industrial innovations. By 1848 France had become an industrial power, but, despite great growth
under the Second Empire, it remained behind Britain. Other countries lagged greatly behind. Germany, for example, despite vast
resources of coal and iron, did not begin its industrial expansion until after national unity was achieved in 1870. The rise of U.S.
industrial power in the 19th and 20th centuries also far outstripped European efforts.
BALANCE OF POWER IN EUROPE
The two decades between 1851 and 1871 saw the incredible industrial and commercial development that established the supremacy of
the United Kingdom in the world; the temporary resurgence of French power and influence under the rule of Napoleon III; the
achievements of political unification in Italy under the leadership of Piedmont and in Germany under the leadership of Prussia; and
the expansion of European power into other continents. The years 1861-1862 brought a turning point in the internal development of
several major countries. In March 1861, the movement for Italian unification culminated in the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy
by the first Italian government. Though the city of Rome remained outside the kingdom until 1870, Italy ranked as a major power in
Europe after 1861. In November 1860, Napoleon III began to relax his autocratic power and inaugurated the phase of "Liberal
Empire", which brought a revival of parliamentary and electoral activity in France. In February 1861, the Tsar emancipated the serfs
and granted concessions in Poland, putting in motion a new era of economic evolution of Russia. In 1862, William I of Prussia
appointed Otto von Bismarck as Prime Minister and gave Helmuth von Moltke the task of reorganizing his army. Bismarck was not
interested in the balance of power as much as he is interested in manipulating it to his favor. He began his single-minded quest to
unify the German states under the leadership of Prussia, if necessary by war. Since then, European affairs were dominated by the
German problem.
The men who occupied the diplomatic stage were Lord Palmerston (1855-1865 Britain's Prime Minister except for a brief interlude),
Napoleon II, Count Cavour (1852-1861 led Piedmont) and Bismark. They pursued forceful policies and engaged in militant
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diplomacy and war. For all of them, liberalism took second place to nationalism. Partially the era of great wars 1 was caused by the
militant policies practiced by strong statesman. Governments came to fear other governments more than they feared revolutionary
uprisings from within their own countries. French rather than the German Empire was still regarded as the greatest threat to the
balance of power in Europe, and relations among the powers were more fluid and governed less by treaty alliances than they were to
be after 1871. Militant nationalism of France, Italy and Germany filled the headlines as the masses were mobilized. However, the era
of state-making was just beginning, and it was beginning in central and eastern Europe. While Civil War is happening in the United
States and Britain devising a new and elastic federal constitution for Canada, while Cavour and Bismarck schemed to unite Italy and
Germany, comparable tendencies were beginning to develop in Russia and Turkey.
THE GREAT POWER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
Due to temporary exhaustion of revolutionary impulses, the retrievement of a balance of power in Europe, and the resumption in a
modified form of the Holy Alliance against the revolution, there was a temporary peace. This is seen in the Great Exhibition in the
Crystal Palace in the UK displaying technological advancement. The main powers were the same powers that made the settlement of
1815: UK, France in western Europe, Prussia and Austria in central Europe, and Russia in the east.
France was still considered the most likely threat due to its large population second to Russia and her republican institution, followed
by Russia with her impressive number of soldiers. The UK was the only industrial power of great importance Britain produced 57
million tons of coal when France produced only 4.5 million and the whole of German Bund only 6 million.
, and she commanded more than half of the whole world's tonnage of ocean-going shipping. However, she was behind other states on
immediately available military power. Certain nations concerned with traditional land warfare value armies more than navies, and
Germany was a subscriber to that. Austro-Russian relations remained the agreements of Münchengrätz made by Metternich in 1833,
involving Prussia as well. Of the five powers in 1851, Prussia was the smallest population and the weakest in prestige.
New points of contention appeared by the expansiveness of the powers and the growing importance of the maritime strength: the
Baltic provinces of Schleswig and Holstein under Danish control, and the Straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosporus controlling
access to the Black Sea. As time progressed, Britain and Russia became less concerned with the Baltic with the development of the
steam and overseas connections for Britain, and the growth of Russia's southern export trade. The balance of power was not so much
one of alliances, but of territorial possessions: no state should gain additions of territory in Europe without the agreement of the other
states. Between 1815 and 1860 every turn change in the territorial settlement reached at Vienna was ratified by the concert of major
European powers: the independence of Greece in 1832 and of Belgium in 1839, the control over Schleswig and Holstein in 1852, and
the disputes involved in the Crimean War in the Treaty of Paris in 1856.
ECONOMIC AND COLONIAL EXPANSION
The proportion of external European trade vastly increased between 1850-1870, as Britain became "the workshop of the World", a
significant term for her and Europe by 1871. Her chief competitor was her traditional rival, France, seen in the Paris Exposition of
1855. The spirit of cooperation between the countries is seen in the Cobden Treaty of 1860, which marked the climax of recognition
of common interest between the two major powers. The economic patterns comprised of two zones: one centering around UK, France,
and Belgium which now was spreading out to comprise the whole of western Europe, including parts of Germany and northern Italy
and even the eastern states in the United States. The other zone comprised of the large agricultural areas of southern and eastern
Europe, the agrarian regions from which came raw materials and food; it extended eastward to Russia and western and southern
United States.
For Britain, the interest moved to the outer zone of raw-material supplies after the financial crisis of 1857. The colonies started being
turned from remote ports to more integrated economic key chains. With the consolidation of power of British power in India, Ceylon,
Burma, Australasia, and the South Pacific, such ports as those of West Africa, Cape Colony, and the chains of intermediate islands
1Between
1854 and 1878 there were no fewer than six important wars in which major powers took part: Crimean War (1854-1856)
that involved Britain, France, Russia and Turkey; the War of 1859, involving France and Austria; the War waged by Prussia and
Austria against Denmark (1864); the Austro-Prussian War of 1866; Franco-Prussian War of 1870; Russo-Turkish War of 1877 which
almost turned into a general European conflict.
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formed stepping stones of the route between the North Atlantic region and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. By then, West African
trading posts had grown into large colonial territories, and the Cape was becoming the springboard for immense expansion northward.
The colonies were valued less for their own commerce and more as a guarantees of a world-wide trade, keeping open supplies and
markets of the world to British manufacturers; as points of strategic advantage and strength; as offering opportunities for investors,
missionaries, and emigrants; as providing national prestige in an era of intensifying nationalist rivalries.
For France, like Britain received most of her raw cotton from the United States. However, French colonial possessions had been
increasing, although less incredibly than Britain's. Algeria had been completely taken over by 1857, and subsequently had become a
good market for French cotton goods. Tahiti and Ivory Coast had been added. The Second Empire sent expeditions to Peking in
1859-1860, explorers to West Africa, and new settlements to Dahomey and the Guinea coast. France differed from Britain in that her
colonies were not used primarily for settlement.
Until the 1860s, Belgium was the only European country to keep up with Britain in industrial growth. Her resources of coal, iron, and
zinc and the advantage of the early establishment of iron and engineering industries gave her a vantage point. By 1870s, Belgium had
exhausted much of its own raw materials, although remaining a manufacturing and exporting country because she had technicians and
skilled workers, the industrial plant and enterprising management. She exported heavy equipment and capital for construction of
railways in Spain, Italy, the Balkans and even South America. Belgium, like Britain, is a heavy importer of food.
The Netherlands kept its profitable connections with the Dutch East Indies. Although much less industrialized than Belgium, it is
strong in particular shipbuilding.
The southwestern states of Spain and Portugal, and the northwestern states of Norway, Sweden and Denmark shared less directly and
drastically in the industrialization and overseas expansion. While the Scandinavian states had no colonial connections but were
expanding industries, the Iberian states made little industrial progress. Spain held the Canaries, and Cuba and Puerto Rico. Portugal
held the scattered Atlantic islands of the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde. Since 1848, she had occupied Angola and in 1857 settled a
European colony at Mozambique. Despite rich in iron, lead, copper and other metals, Spain and Portugal developed their industries
rather slowly. They were handicapped in the shortage of good coal, scarcity of capital, and lack of technical skill and equipment. Both
countries were predominantly agricultural. Sweden and Norway underwent, on the other hand, a revolution between 1840 and 1860,
and foreign trade grew in proportion. A policy of free trade was adopted in 1857. Denmark stood economically and geographically
midway between central Europe and northwestern Europe.
CONGRESS OF BERLIN 1878
The Congress of Berlin was the largest gathering of European leaders since the 1815 meetings at Vienna after Napoleon's defeat. The
location itself signifies the growing importance the new Germany had become. However, the conference was dominated by Disraeli,
the British Prime Minister. This cunning politician went to Berlin with three pre-made secret agreements. The first was with Russia.
Disraeli has no intention of going to war with Russia but nevertheless kept it a secret; thus, Tsar Alexander II decided to play safe. He
had agreed to a reduction of the size of Bulgaria even before the conference began. Second, the Turks had been persuaded to let
Russia keep some of her conquests providing Britain guaranteed to protect her in future. This agreement was unpopular with Turkey
especially as she had surrendered Cyprus to Britain as a base for use.
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CURRENT SITUATION
It is the new imperialism period where European powers, the United States and the Japanese empire are expanding their colonial
powers and acquiring territories in less developed lands. It is also the era of developments in areas of science, technology, agriculture,
transportation, communications and military weapons, increasing these countries power to assert dominance over their colonies and
subjects. There is an economic desire for resources and markets, that is fueled by a long depression that started in 1973, and a goal of
spreading civilization. European explorers have discovered waterways and diverse resources in Africa. Christian missions on the
continent are also expanding as Protestant missionary work is active on the Guinea Coast, in South Africa and the Zanzibars.
European knowledge of the interior of sub-Saharan Africa and its riches is escalating. These reasons made European powers want to
seek territory in Africa so as to increase their economic and political powers.
By 1880 there were already European countries that controlled territories in Africa. These territories constituted about 10 percent of
the continent.
Colonial exploration has become a competition between European countries. It has become a race among these countries to plant their
flags in the lands they discover. The most attractive territories are coastal lands that have ports or could be converted to ports, access
to the Suez canal and the Nile and central Africa as it is rich with gold. The Suez Canal especially provided a vital trade route for
Britain through Egypt and access to its Indian colony, The German empire has been established as a major imperial power and has
joined the scramble for Africa. Britain and France feel threatened by this and rivalry between these major powers has intensified. This
could lead to war in Europe that would be disruptive for the growing economies of the continent.
Otto von Bismarck calls for the Berlin conference so as to bring peace and collaboration between European countries seeking
dominance over the African continent. It can be argued that Leopold has a secret agenda of securing his dominance over the Congo.
The following agenda has been set to be discussed at the conference;
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AGENDA OF THE CONFERENCE
1.
Freedom of commerce in the basin and the mouths of the Congo.
2.
The application to the Congo and Niger of the principles adopted by the Congress of Vienna with a view to preserving
freedom of navigation on certain international rivers, principles applied at a later date to the River Danube.
3.
A definition of formalities necessary to be observed so that new occupations on the African coasts shall be deemed effective.
The countries present are expected to partition Africa and set policies that will govern colonialism. An agreement is to be made about
how territories are to be acquired, what lands should be left free to be accessed by all colonial powers and any laws that will be
followed when administering authority over colonies.
COUNTRY POSITIONS
United Kingdom- A country that already holds the majority of the occupied territories in Africa. It is the main industrial power and
wants to expand its colonies so as to open foreign markets. Britain wants to continue controlling the territories it currently holds and
expand. It also wants access to and/or control of the Suez Canal and River Nile. Does not support the Congo Society and wants access
to Congo. The Anglo-Portuguese treaty establishes a perpetual alliance between England and Portugal.
Belgium- Can be said to have started colonization as a private venture when King Leopold sent Henry Stanley to establish the Congo
Free State. King Leopold also formed the International African Society and the International Congo Society. Belgium has significant
interest in this conference as it wants to sole control of the Congo.
Germany- Starting to be recognized as an imperial power after the unification of its empire. It is also a country in the triple alliance.
Has protectorates in Africa. Has major interest in the conference due to Otto von Bismarck's role.
France- Holds territories in Africa and does not only want to colonize but to also assimilate their subjects into French culture and way
of living. France wants to continue controlling the territories it currently holds and expand. Has influence as it has economic power
and military resources.
Portugal- Has been in Africa for the longest period, the first explorers to Africa were from Portugal. Has treaties with Spain and
Roman Catholic church on the territories it controls. Made a treaty with the United Kingdom and Ireland to block of the Congo
Society from accessing the Atlantic. Currently controls the mouth to the Congo River, a very attractive territory.
Italy- Part of the triple alliance. Does not currently control any territories and is not keen on having many territories.
United States- Was previously colonized by the European powers and has become a powerful economic country. It is interested in the
conference for economic gains but reserves the right to accept or decline the conclusions of the conference.
Spain- Currently holds a few territories in Africa. Spanish Sahara is its main territory but Spain does not seemed interested in
expansion. Spain has lost its colonies in the Americas.
Austria- Hungary- Part of the Triple Alliance. Does not possess a navy and might not have the resources to rule over colonies.
Denmark- Had trading stations and forts on the Gold Coast of Africa. Sold its forts to the United Kingdom after being suppressed by
native African tribes.
Netherlands- Founded a colony in Cape town but were expelled by the Africans
Ottoman Empire- Has acquired many territories in Africa through wars. Seems to be losing the control of its colonies to the British.
Russia- Has more interest in Asia for colonies.
Sweden-Norway- Had territories and forts but could not maintain them due to revolts.
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BERLIN CONFERENCE BACKGROUND GUIDE
SHAWMUN 2017
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
http://140.112.142.79/publish/pdfs/22/22_08.pdf
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https://www.jstor.org/stable/40174114?seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents
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https://academic.oup.com/lril/article/3/1/31/2413101/Between-law-and-history-the-Berlin-Conference-of
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_of_Africa#Early_Portuguese_expeditions
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https://vmun.com/wp-content/uploads/VMUN-2017-Nixons-Cabinet.pdf
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Conference#Early_history_of_the_Berlin_Conference
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11. h t t p s : / / w w w. b r i t a n n i c a . c o m / t o p i c / h i s t o r y - o f - E u r o p e / R e v o l u t i o n - a n d - t h e - g r o w t h - o f - i n d u s t r i a l society-1789-1914#toc58404
12. https://www.britannica.com/event/Industrial-Revolution
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