Abstract:
In order to increase the understanding of American historical involvement in African affairs this paper focuses on the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference on Africa. It points out that the United States not only led the way in recognizing the claims laid on the Congo by King Leopold of Belgium, it also shows that the US influenced the activities of the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck with regard to events in Africa. The US became fully involved in the proceedings in Berlin in order to protect its perceived amd mostly potential commercial interests in Africa. In the effort to protect those interests the US affected some of the decisions that were taken in Berlin. Although the US did not ratify the treaty, because of changes in domestic politics, it continued to believe in the viability of the agreements reached in Berlin.
