NukeNes XXV: The Berlin Conference

Nuka-sama

See ya! It has been a fun decade!
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
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Welcome, delegates, to Berlin. We are here to establish an agreement which will allow the division of Africa without needing to fight a major war. Nations will be allowed to carve out spheres of influence on the African Continent with the consent of the other powers. If we are able to agree where the spheres are located, we can prevent any conflicts that could occur from overlapping claims.

At the Berlin Conference, we would like to keep everything civil, and if a nation is being out of line, they will be silenced and no longer allowed to negotiate their sphere at the Conference or add any terms to the conference.

Invitees

Germany
The United Kingdom
France
Italy
Portugal
Spain
The American Empire
Russia
Austria-Hungary
The Ottoman Empire
Sweden-Norway
Denmark
the Netherlands

The Agenda

1. Which nations will receive what parts of Africa?
2. Pressuring Black and Muslim rulers to end the slave trade
3. The Congo Question: France, Belgium, or Portugal?
4. Trade in the Congo
5. Navigation of the African rivers
6. If a nation fails to establish authority in the region, what happens to said region? Can another power establish claim? Which country? Would we need a conference to convene?

Conference Actions

1. Libya has been sold by the Ottoman Empire to the Kingdom of Italy
2. Abyssinia has had their independence guaranteed by most European powers
3. Morocco has had their independence guaranteed by most European powers (notable exception: The Kingdom of Spain)
4. All powers support the Portuguese "Pink Map" claim
5. All powers support the Revised Belgian Congo division

OOC

We do have some in house "guidelines" that I'd like to ask everyone to keep in mind

1. I know that neses are about changing history and how things could go, but non major powers are likely not going to be claiming colonies (Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands). and even major powers such as Russia, Austria Hungary and to an extent the Ottoman Empire, will not likely be walking away with new claims. Please, do not litter the thread with outrage such as "Sweden claims West Africa" "Denmark demands the Congo", this is your notice. That is not to say that you cannot push closer for free trade or whatnot, but understand that Denmark's support for Portugal ruling the Congo is not going to result in a small sliver for land in West Africa for Denmark.

2. This is not a democracy, and this is not set in stone. If people voted that Britain would not be allowed to expand the South African colonies North, the British player may very well leave and the Conference will collapse. The Major powers can and will walk out if things get outrageous

3. At the same time, the Great Powers should not ignore the smaller powers completely. The reason Congo was given to Belgium was that Leopold guaranteed free trade in the Congo. Who do you think it'll be easier to enforce that guarantee of free trade on? The small nation in Europe that three or four powers can gang up on, or a major military and naval power that if they decided to cut off access, trying to make them open trade would mean a major European War. Also, if you can't have it, why should your rival get it?

4. No land will be added to any nation from this conference unless a nation hands over an already existing colony. If Portugal and Italy divide up Morocco between the two, Morocco will not politely move troops out of the way so the Europeans can set up shop.

5. Please act IC in thread. Too much OOC will be given a warning, and then being asked to leave the Conference.

Go ahead and make yourselves known
 
The Representatives from the Kingdom of Italy have arrived, also to make things run more smoothly we'd like to announce that our nation has purchased Ottoman Libya.
 
France checking in.
 
The Ottoman Empire Observing
 
Leopold II of Belgium is in attendance, representing the interests of the members of the International Congo Society.
 
Edit: nvm
 
France rejects your reality, and substitutes our own.

We propose that the Congo be divided between France and Britain, with these borders.

 
Stealth edit
 
We feel that a nation such as Portugal should not be given control over such a large part of the Congo as they have proposed, we feel that a deal that allows the Congo to be traversed freely and without taxation is optimal, and best for all parties. We would prefer that a small, neutral power such as Belgium control the Congo Basin and it's major water ways.

Also at this time, we would like to announce The Kingdom of Italy's claims:

Italian North Africa:


Italian Somaliland and Eritrea:
 
redacted
 
French control of the Congo would be destructive to the stable trade within the heart of Africa. Germany would only support a Congo controlled by Belguim, assuming that Belguim will allow free use of the waterways of the Congo by all the European powers present.
 
Denmark completely supports the German position

Portugal would allow free and stable trade within the new Congo territory, and the navigation of the waterways by all European powers, but feel that their claims predate the Belgian claims
 
We have come to the realization that the German position regarding the Congo Basin is the most fair to all European nations, the waterways need to be untaxed and free for all trade to travel upon.
 
Portugal has now been claimed, please disregard all prior Portugal posts
 
Portugal's Proposal:



The day to day affairs of the Free Trade Zone are to be governed by the International Congo Society based in Brussels. The area in the Horn of Africa is of little concern to us, however we recommend the Ethiopians be allowed to maintain their independence as they are one of the few good Christian nations on this continent of heathens.

We would have no issue with the Boer states maintaining their independence (in fact we would prefer for it) but we recognize that British commercial interests in the area mean they lay squarely within London's influence. We recommend the British and Dutch settlers in the region come to some sort of agreement for joint governorship of the area.
 
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