The Berlin Conference of 1884
Tuesday 19 July 2005 21:30-22:15 (Radio 3)
A series looking at the dynamics of deliberation at three moments in history. Frances Stonor Saunders explores meetings which had huge significance beyond their four walls.
The relationship between Europe and Africa today has never been more talked about, but how many people know where and how it began? At the Berlin Conference of 1884 the European Powers formalised the Scramble for Africa. Not a single African was among the 14 delegations and only one of the delegates had even been to the continent. The interior was partitioned between them and formed into many of the countries we recognise today, along commercially useful lines, covering huge areas: many now argue these territories were ungovernable from the beginning.
Frances Stonor Saunders examines the dynamics of the diplomatic meeting that changed the history of the continent and how it had devastating consequences for Africa, many of which are still felt today.
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