November 27 – 29, 2015
BERLIN CONFERENCE
Montreal United Nations Conference
BLUE DIVISION
BACKGROUND GUIDE
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Committee Introduction
As European influence continues to grow worldwide, empires rise as new regions are
discovered. The 19th century brought forth ingenuity, industry, wealth and the capacity to
expand to lengths that the West has not seen since the Roman Empire. With this newfound
wealth and industry, continents are ripe for the taking and easier to control, but of course,
this facilitation comes with a price. Undefined borders result in economic wars and
constant unrests.
We have seen numerous conferences addressing these important issues. Think about the
Geographical Conference of Brussels organized by Leopold II in 1876, a conference of
scheming. Only two years after, we find the Congress of Berlin where the objective was to
put an end to the crisis that implicated, in particular, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.
Evidently, each one of you secretly tried to take advantage of each situation to increase
your nation’s influence.
Therefore, by invitation of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, you are invited to
Berlin with the purpose of discussing Africa and everything that it implies. The agenda will
touch on colonization, resources, influences and plenty more.
This conference, titled the Berlin Conference, will be the apotheosis of the last decade,
where everything was executed with the most secrecy possible. We invite you to come and
play your cards on the table; as a matter of fact, not only all the leaders of the European
nations will be present, but also the Ottoman Empire and the United States of America.
Delegates, you have to be ready for anything. We have information that some individuals
will take advantage of the meeting to carry out their plans. However, the most important
task is to perfectly know your position and your role. Think about it: do you wish to be
remembered as the delegate that prevented your nation from taking territorial possessions
in Africa? Asking this question is answering it.
For wealth, glory, and industry.
Certain elements of the conference are pure invention, such as the participation of the
United States. Everything written here has predominance. You cannot invent things: either
it is written here, or it really happened.
Context of the Berlin Conference
Political and Economic
For many European nations, this is a time of unprecedented colonial opportunity. New
technologies, such as telegraph lines that can stretch across the Atlantic, make it possible
to effectively manage colonies and command armies from the capital of European countries.
Nationalist sentiment sweeps Europe, and her peoples rise up, demanding glory and power
for their nation. The rapid advances of trade have fueled a rise in consumption of
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commercial goods, making colonies not only a source of glory, but ideal sites for lucrative
enterprises. In short, it is a time when no European nation can afford to fall behind the
others, and the old dogma of carefully managed balances of power is giving way to
aggressive expansionism, fuelled by the fear of the ambitions of neighboring states.
In the center of this conflict is Africa, parts of which many nations have claimed. Few of
these colonies have been extensively exploited, and some exist only in name. But new
information has since come to light, which is energizing European leaders to support and
extend their colonial initiatives. Firstly, explorer Henry Morton Stanley has recently
finished charting the Congo River Basin and now Europeans have complete geographic
knowledge of the continent. Secondly, recent surveys have confirmed vast African natural
resources such as gold, ivory, minerals and timber. In addition, the labour to extract these
resources is close at hand in the form of the region’s indigenous peoples. The need for
resources in order to fund home-country growth and pay for the sizeable standing armies
that Europeans now maintain out of fear and nationalist pride has led to the aggressive
maneuvers that bring us to Berlin for this conference.
The following is a summary of recent political moves in Africa, and suggestions as to their
consequences. King Leopold II of Belgium has moved to solidify his Congo Free State;
there are conflicting claims as to whether this territory consists of a national colony or the
private holding of the King. In response, the French and Portuguese have moved to solidify
and expand their claims; in particular, the French have founded Brazzaville along the
Congo River in 1880 to compete with Leopoldville, a Belgian city on the opposite side of
the river. Alarmed by this action, other parties followed suit, especially the still young
German Empire, which has begun flexing its colonial muscle and seeking territory to claim
in Africa. These movements on the part of Germany have prompted the British, who have
significant holdings in Africa, such as the Suez Canal, and the French, to strongly react and
begin mobilizing for further colonization and to attempt to block the access of the inland
colonies of other nations to the sea, a fact which has greatly inflamed tensions and passions
in all the affected nations.
Piracy
European and American shipping have been harassed for years by the Barbary pirates who,
though now restricted to a few bases such as Tunisia, have taken and still hold thousands
of prisoners and tons of cargo. The cost of these pirates is high; many European nations
and the United States have already waged costly wars to subdue them, and it is clear that,
with the expansion of colonialism, many countries see an opportunity to silence the pirates
for good.
Social Issues
As mentioned above, nationalist sentiment is spurring the peoples and governments of
Europe to adopt hostile, militaristic foreign policies that focus on bringing glory to the state
and ensuring the downfall of its enemies; that is, the downfall of all those who are not of
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that state. Governments wishing to project an image of prosperity and plenty cannot ignore
growing population and the rise in demand for goods produced by colonies.
Missionaries
Many have called for the civilization of Africa, considering the spread of Christianity and
European values throughout the continent as a God-given duty. Missionaries are constantly
embarking on ships headed for Africa, and there have been loud voices calling for their
protection by colonial powers, and other voices calling on governments to directly support
their efforts. Different countries are also fairly territorial when it comes to religion. For
example, Roman Catholic countries are wary of allowing Protestant missionaries into their
territory.
Slavery
Numerous African states still practice slavery, and Europe and the United States have in
the recent past abolished the institution of slavery. Some claim that colonization is a duty
that must be performed if the slave trade is to be fully suppressed.
Territory and the Duties of Colonizers
Finally, there is the question of African ownership of territory. There is a fierce debate
going on. If a territory is colonized, does the land become European territory? Does it
remain the property of Africans? Do European nations need the consent of African leaders
in order to set up colonies? Is the use of armed force legitimate in the acquiring of a colony?
And if the Africans have no system of organized property, is it the role of Europeans to
create and manage a system of organized property? What responsibilities do Europeans
have towards Africans living in colonies? Do they owe them education, infrastructure, or
police forces?
Consequences of Inaction and Conclusion
It is because of the potentially devastating effects on international trade if wars over
colonial holdings break out, and in an effort to reduce tensions and encourage peaceable
resolutions to conflicts, that German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck has invited us to Berlin.
Failure to find some middle ground where all powers involved are given enough to satisfy
their nationalist and economic needs can lead to one thing and one thing only: war. War in
the colonies; perhaps even a major war on the European continent. The ultimate goal of the
conference, beyond the resolution of territorial disputes and the creation of a dialogue on
colonial matters between the Great Powers, is to create a world that is safe for trade, a
world where colonies will be productive and effectively managed, and finally a world
where the social issues of nationalism, missionaries, slavery, ownership of land, and the
responsibilities of colonizers are adequately addressed.
Delegates, you are expected not only to parcel out Africa, but to chart a course towards
greatness for your nation, a course towards glory, economic prosperity, and secure colonial
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expansion—all in a context of reduced tension and hostility. Fail, and your nation risks
being plunged into a costly war that may destroy its fortunes forever. The time to act is
now, and the place is Berlin.