What was the main purpose of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885?

The main purpose of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa. During this period, European powers were engaged in a scramble for territory in Africa, leading to tensions and conflicts over claims to land and resources. The conference brought together representatives from various European nations to establish guidelines for the partitioning of Africa, aiming to reduce conflicts between these nations and provide a framework for the acquisition of territories. This was significant because it laid the groundwork for the rapid expansion of European colonial empires in Africa, often disregarding the existing political boundaries and social structures in the continent. The agreements made during the conference facilitated systematic colonization, heavily influencing African history and development for decades to come.