What was the primary purpose of the Berlin Conference?

The primary purpose of the Berlin Conference, held from 1884 to 1885, was indeed to avoid conflict by establishing rules for the colonization of Africa among European powers. During this period, the European nations were eager to expand their territories and influence, leading to the so-called "Scramble for Africa." The conference aimed to regulate the competition for African land and resources among these countries, ensuring that no single nation would monopolize the continent without consulting others.

By laying down guidelines for territorial claims and recognition of such claims, the conference contributed to the orderly division of Africa, facilitating colonization while attempting to prevent potential conflicts between the European nations over territorial disputes. This systematic approach was crucial in directing the imperial ambitions of Europe in a way that minimized direct military confrontations among the colonizing powers during this time of rapid expansion.

In contrast, while trade with Africa and discussions about peace among European nations were tangentially relevant to the geopolitical climate of the time, they were not the primary focus of the Berlin Conference. Additionally, the question of abolishing slavery, although significant, was not a central agenda item at the Berlin Conference, which primarily centered around territorial claims and the colonial ambitions of the participating powers.