The Berlin Conference was held from November 15, 1884, to February 26, 1885, with the purpose of regulating European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period. Convened by the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the conference involved representatives from fourteen countries, including major powers such as Britain, France, Portugal, and Belgium. This gathering was significant as it laid the groundwork for the partitioning of Africa among European powers, a process often referred to as the 'Scramble for Africa'.

During the conference, discussions focused on establishing guidelines for the occupation of African territories to avoid conflicts among European nations. The conference participants agreed upon the principle of effective occupation, stipulating that a European power could claim territory only if it established a physical presence and the ability to control it. This principle disregarded the existing social and political structures of African societies and led to widespread exploitation and division of the continent.

The General Act signed at the end of the conference formalized these decisions and highlighted the geopolitical interests of European powers. The conference also recognized King Leopold II of Belgium's claim to the Congo Free State, thereby legitimizing his personal rule over the territory, creating significant implications for the local populations. By the conclusion of the conference, major African regions and resources were effectively allocated to various European nations, sparking an era of colonial expansion characterized by extraction and subjugation of African peoples.