Berlin Conference and the formal partition of Africa (1884–1885) and immediate aftermath

1. Leopold II launches Congo colonization project

   Nov 17, 1879Labels: Leopold II, International Association

   • Britannica
   • Wikipedia

2. European powers formalize competing Congo claims

   Nov 30, 1882Labels: France, Portugal

   • Wikipedia
   • Britannica

3. Berlin Conference opens in Berlin

   Nov 15, 1884Labels: Berlin Conference, Otto von

   • Britannica
   • German FO

4. Conference debates Congo Basin and trade access

   Dec 1, 1884Labels: Congo Basin, free trade

   • Britannica
   • German FO

5. General Act of the Berlin Conference signed

   Feb 26, 1885Labels: General Act, Congo River

   • German FO
   • Britannica

6. Framework accelerates “Scramble for Africa” claims

   Mar 1, 1885Labels: Scramble for

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

7. Leopold II becomes sovereign of Congo Free State

   Apr 30, 1885Labels: Leopold II, Congo Free

   • US Historian
   • Wikipedia

8. Congo Free State publicly proclaimed at Vivi

   Jul 1, 1885Labels: Vivi, Congo Free

   • Wikipedia
   • US Historian

9. U.S. recognizes the Congo Free State

   Sep 11, 1885Labels: United States

   • US Historian

10. Britain charters the Royal Niger Company

    Jul 1, 1886Labels: Royal Niger, Britain

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

11. Berlin rules underpin later sphere-of-influence treaties

    Jul 1, 1890Labels: Heligoland Zanzibar, spheres of

    • Britannica
    • GHDI

12. Outcome: legal framework enables rapid partition

    Dec 31, 1890Labels: partition of

    • German FO
    • Britannica