The Scramble for Africa[a] was the invasion and colonisation of most of Africa by seven Western European powers during the era of "New Imperialism" (1833–1914). In 1870, 10% of the continent was formally under European control. By 1914, this figure had risen to almost 90%, with only Liberia and Ethiopia retaining their full sovereignty.[b]
The 1884 Berlin Conference regulated European colonisation and trade in Africa, and is seen as emblematic of the "scramble".[2] In the last quarter of the 19th century, there were considerable political rivalries between the European empires, which provided the impetus for the colonisation.[3] The later years of the 19th century saw a transition from "informal imperialism" – military influence and economic dominance – to direct rule.[4]
With the decline of the European colonial empires in the wake of the two world wars, most African colonies gained independence during the Cold War. However, the old imperial boundaries and economic systems continue to affect the politics and economies of African countries.[5]
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