The Berlin Conference took place in 1884–1885. This conference was convened by European powers to negotiate the division of Africa among themselves, without any African representation. The result was the partitioning of the continent into various colonial territories, leading to significant political, social, and economic upheavals. The arbitrary borders established had lasting effects on ethnic groups and countries, often causing conflict that persists to this day. European nations sought to expand their empires, extracting resources and exploiting local populations, which resulted in long-term consequences for Africa's development and independence movements in the 20th century.