The main objective of the Berlin Conference in 1884 was to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa. Convened by Otto von Bismarck, it aimed to establish guidelines for the division of Africa among European powers, leading to the so-called "Scramble for Africa." European nations sought to avoid conflict over territorial claims, resulting in the formalization of borders without consideration for indigenous populations. The outcomes of the conference significantly impacted African societies, contributing to long-term political and social ramifications that are still evident today.