Question

Where did the big European powers meet in1885 for dividing africa?

Answer 1

Germany, after it was unified under Prussia's rule, as a rising industrial power began to participate eagerly in the race for colonizing close on the heels of Britain. In 1880, Germany began its world expansion in alliance with Austria, Hungary and Italy and these big European powers met at Berlin Conference (1884-85) which was proposed by the then Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to set rules for effective control of a foreign territory, i.e. Africa.  

Answer 2

The partition of Africa started with the Berlin Conference from 1884-1885 which was held in Berlin.

On this conference, all the major European states were invited, including; Germany, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Portugal, France and Great Britain. There was no African invited to this conference.

The reason why the Europeans were invited because they wanted the possession over the state of Africa and the people who were giving the possessions to the Europeans could not understand what they were signing because they couldn't read and write European language.

By 1914 around 90% of the African countries have been divided among the Europeans leaving only Ethiopia and Liberia behind.