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

Countries from Asia participated in the conference, leading to many cultural clashes between colonizing powers.

The correct answer is Option A "The Europeans ignored existing borders, cultural differences, and historical conflicts when they created new boundaries."

Explanation:

The Berlin Conference was held on November 15, 1884, and it was a meeting between European powers and the United States to divide up Africa. Before the conference, only ten percent of Africa was colonized by Europeans. However, in the aftermath, more than ninety percent of Africa was colonized by Europeans.

African representatives were not even in attendance at the conference and to a large extent, the attendees ignored existing aspects of Africa as they were interested in minerals and resources like tin, copper, gold, and diamonds. The European powers also ignored the local food needs of Africans and planted cash crops like peanuts, and rubber. In the social sphere, the European powers largely ignored traditional African values and customs or devalued them.