Read the text and answer the question.
The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 was a part of the "Imperialism of Africa" that took place in the 1870s and 1880s. The conference was held to prevent conflict between European countries.
How did the Berlin Conference cause conflict and hardship throughout Africa?
A.
The Europeans ignored existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when they created new boundaries.
B.
The Europeans created new trade barriers between Africa and Europe, which caused the African economy to decline.
C.
Some African countries were represented at the conference, which caused other African countries to resent them.
D.
Some Asian countries participated in the conference, leading to violent cultural clashes between colonizing powers.
The correct answer is A. The Europeans ignored existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when they created new boundaries.
A. The Berlin Conference caused conflict and hardship throughout Africa by ignoring existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when creating new boundaries.
The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 is widely regarded as a pivotal event that contributed to conflict and hardship throughout Africa. To understand how the conference caused these consequences, let's examine the given options:
Option A states that the Europeans ignored existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when they created new boundaries. This option correctly explains one of the ways in which the conference led to conflict and hardship in Africa. During the conference, European powers divided up the African continent without taking into consideration the already established boundaries, cultures, and historical conflicts of the African peoples. This disregard for the existing social fabric and traditional territories often resulted in forced migration, tensions between different ethnic groups, and territorial disputes.
Option B suggests that the Europeans created new trade barriers between Africa and Europe, leading to a decline in the African economy. While trade barriers did play a role in Africa's economic struggles during colonization, this option does not directly address how the Berlin Conference specifically caused conflict and hardship throughout the continent.
Option C states that some African countries were represented at the conference, which caused other African countries to resent them. While it is true that some African nations were present at the conference, their representation was not extensive nor granted equal decision-making power. Therefore, this option does not adequately explain how the conference itself caused the conflict and hardship throughout Africa.
Option D suggests that some Asian countries participated in the conference, leading to violent cultural clashes between colonizing powers. However, the Berlin Conference primarily revolved around the division of African territories among European powers. While Asian countries did have a presence in some European colonies, their participation was limited and did not directly lead to violent cultural clashes in Africa.
Taking these explanations into account, the most accurate answer to the question "How did the Berlin Conference cause conflict and hardship throughout Africa?" is option A - The Europeans ignored existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when they created new boundaries. This decision led to the displacement of various African communities, sparked tensions between ethnic groups, and caused territorial disputes that often led to conflict and hardship in Africa.