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
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