Answer :
Final answer:
The European powers divided Africa at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, attended by 13 European nations and the United States, which established colonial boundaries across the continent.
Explanation:
The European powers divided Africa at the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This gathering was organized by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and included representatives from 13 European powers plus the United States. The African continent was carved into administrative boundaries without regard for existing political and ethnic lines. The conference was part of a broader phenomenon known as the 'scramble for Africa,' where colonial powers, influenced by a mix of geopolitical concerns and economic interests, sought to establish their spheres of influence across the continent. This division of Africa set the stage for future conflicts and border disputes following the decolonization of the 1950s and 60s.
