Let's Meet in Berlin

European supremacy can be seen in lots of ways during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but one of the most stark and clear examples is the carving up of an entire continent to settle European conflicts. In 1884-1885, European powers met in Berlin at what became known as the Berlin Conference, or the Congo Conference. We will re-create this conference, taking on the roles of the major European powers present at this meeting.

During the conference each committee will try to persuade the other conference attendees to grant and certify their claims to territory within the continent of Africa. This will be accomplished in a couple of ways - in-class speeches (which should include visuals/maps) and an on-line social media campaign (using Twitter/Instagram).
The goal of the conference is two fold -
1. Create a map of Africa that all members agree to
2. Set rules for claiming new territory and settling future land/resource disputes.

Each committee will be made up of at least 2 members, taking on the following roles ...
1. Speaker
2. Ambassador
and will share the role of Head of PR
(Link to specific details)

Each committee will give an opening argument to their claims of land and resources within Africa. We will then proceed to debate and discuss land disputes that arise.

Members of the committee that will be present are as follows ...
Germany
Belgium
Great Britain
France
Italy
Portugal

Each committee will need to be sure they achieve the goals of their country and allies, while also maintaining the balance of power in continental Europe.

The conference will start on Monday Feb 9 and end on Tuesday Feb 10. By the end of the conference.
Continue to check back here for details and needed background information on the Conference of Berlin and the events that led to its necessity.

Unification Overload

Europe saw the formation of two nation-states that would become major players in the coming brinkmanship and World Wars. Once Prussia unites the German provinces, the balance of power in continental Europe is once again called into question, and paranoia once again sets in. Alliances are quickly formed - some secret, some not so secret. And we are just priming the pump for a spark to set-off a powder keg.

So how does this happen? Look at how Italy and Germany unite. Use your textbook and the links below to fill-in your charts comparing the different players, maps, and speeches used to bring two different countries united during the same time period.


Otto Von Bismark 
Count Camillo Cavor

OPTIC
Italian Unification Map
German Unification Map - I and II

SOAPPS
Garibaldi
Bismark