15 November 1884
Scramble for Africa

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France and Germany have begun to challenge Britain's dominance of Africa (see Further afield). They have taken formal control of many areas, and Britain – overstretched militarily and financially – is having to cede territory. The German chancellor Bismarck calls the West Africa Conference in Berlin in November 1884, at which 15 nations bargain for territory. France, Germany and Belgium gain, while Britain gives up its claims to many areas, notably Cameroon, Togoland and the Congo.

On the ground, Britain and its European neighbours continue to seize land: Germany takes control of south-west Africa and Britain retaliates by taking over the German-controlled Bechuanaland protectorate, which borders the Transvaal.

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