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Introduction
My name is Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Wilhelm; I am the son of King Frederik VII (1906-1912) and Queen Lovisa. My grandfather, King Christian IX ascended to the throne of Denmark in 1863; the year history re-began for the countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In 1912, my father, having dealt with heart issues, passed away, thrusting the throne of Scandinavia upon me at the age of 42. Upon my ascension, my oldest son, Christian Frederik Franz Michael Carl Valdemar Georg (Frederik), became Crown Prince Frederik of Scandinavia born March 11th, 1899, and my second son is Knud Christian Frederik Michael born July 27th, 1900.
Before 1863, Scandinavia had been united under a group of personal unions between the nobles of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. It was during the reign of Queen Margaret I of Denmark, that her and her advisors signed the personal unions outside of the Swedish town of Kalmar; which at the time was only a few miles away from the boundary of the Kingdom. However, after centuries of Swedish dissent over the, unfair rule of Danish nobles, the Kalmar Union as it was known fell apart in 1536 during the reign of Christian III.
The Kalmar Union, the territorial holdings of Scandinavia; which became the collective name of the combined kingdoms included Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands near the coast of Scotland. After the dissolution of the Kalmar Union, the Kingdom of Norway would become a province of Denmark under the rule of Christian III; while Sweden would once again form its own Kingdom.
It is precise to say, the following is the written history of the three northern kingdoms of Europe.
Before 1863, Scandinavia had been united under a group of personal unions between the nobles of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. It was during the reign of Queen Margaret I of Denmark, that her and her advisors signed the personal unions outside of the Swedish town of Kalmar; which at the time was only a few miles away from the boundary of the Kingdom. However, after centuries of Swedish dissent over the, unfair rule of Danish nobles, the Kalmar Union as it was known fell apart in 1536 during the reign of Christian III.
The Kalmar Union, the territorial holdings of Scandinavia; which became the collective name of the combined kingdoms included Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands near the coast of Scotland. After the dissolution of the Kalmar Union, the Kingdom of Norway would become a province of Denmark under the rule of Christian III; while Sweden would once again form its own Kingdom.
It is precise to say, the following is the written history of the three northern kingdoms of Europe.
First Schleswig War
On March 21st, 1848 a crowd of liberal demonstrators cried for the creation of a constitution; liberalism was a new plague sweeping the European continent. Unbeknownst to happenings in Copenhagen, the people of Kiel; which resided in the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein, proclaimed a provisional government because they believed the king, Frederick VII had fallen to revolutionaries who wanted to separate Schleswig from Holstein.
The Danish government viewed this as a sign of treason, and ordered the provisional government to be put down; however the Schleswig-Holsteinian Prince Frederik of Noer rallied some troopers and university students from Kiel and captured the fortress of Rendsburg; which remarkably had its gate left opened. On April 9th, the Battle of Bov occurred; which involved 7,000 Danish troops against 7,000 troops of Prince Frederik of Noer, the battle was astounding Danish victory; however it did not end the conflict.
The Kingdom of Prussia was interested in obtaining the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, due to the German population. The European powers of Great Britain, France and Russia were opposed to any dismemberment of Denmark; however limited support would be given to the heavily outmatched nation. Luckily, the Austria had refused to support Prussian demands, in addition Swedish volunteers willingly assisted their Nordic brothers against Teutonic imperialism.
Between 1848, till the near the end of 1851, many battles were fought in a war that eventually became inconclusive. Two truces had been called during the war and were both broken. At the end of conflict, the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein nominally remained under control of the Danish crown.
The Danish government viewed this as a sign of treason, and ordered the provisional government to be put down; however the Schleswig-Holsteinian Prince Frederik of Noer rallied some troopers and university students from Kiel and captured the fortress of Rendsburg; which remarkably had its gate left opened. On April 9th, the Battle of Bov occurred; which involved 7,000 Danish troops against 7,000 troops of Prince Frederik of Noer, the battle was astounding Danish victory; however it did not end the conflict.
The Kingdom of Prussia was interested in obtaining the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, due to the German population. The European powers of Great Britain, France and Russia were opposed to any dismemberment of Denmark; however limited support would be given to the heavily outmatched nation. Luckily, the Austria had refused to support Prussian demands, in addition Swedish volunteers willingly assisted their Nordic brothers against Teutonic imperialism.
Between 1848, till the near the end of 1851, many battles were fought in a war that eventually became inconclusive. Two truces had been called during the war and were both broken. At the end of conflict, the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein nominally remained under control of the Danish crown.
Danish troops return to Copenhagen, victorious.
I remember the last one, but if I recall correctly, it never got to the playing state (as many of my failed AARs 
) - but you had a fairly detailed alt-history WWI.
) - but you had a fairly detailed alt-history WWI.
I remember the last one, but if I recall correctly, it never got to the playing state (as many of my failed AARs
Correct sir, those were the good old dreams. The story has become much more; it is more of a history novel; and a lot has been added since it was first shown.
I wonder where the POD is. In the 1800s (assuming things have gone historically until that point) Sweden and Norway were in a personal union, while Denmark was in deep trouble due the Slesvig- Holstein issue, still you will have a Scandinavia under the Danish monarchy, which must mean a stronger Denmark will appear, combined with some kind of diaster in Sweden- Norway. Interresting.
Second Schleswig War
For nearly thirteen years, the Schleswig-Holstein question remained unresolved. On February 1st, 1864, Prussian troops crossed the border into Schleswig because of the Danish crowns and constitution’s attempt to consolidate Schleswig into Denmark proper. The dispute began with the question on who would succeed the ailing King Frederik VII; who was heirless. Two houses, the House of Augustenburg and the House of Glücksburg competed for the Danish throne, to many Danes, the Augustenburg branch of the royal family was too German. Prince Christian of Glücksburg was chosen to be the new King. On November 15th, 1863, Prince Christian would become King Christian IX.
Having recently come to the throne, the King’s work was cut out for him, his late predecessor had failed to sign the November Constitution; which had been just been adopted by parliament. Under pressure, King Christian IX would sign the constitution under pressure from the National Liberals party. The constitution would align Schleswig more closely with Denmark; which the Prussians viewed as a violation of the London Protocol signed in 1852.
The King’s reservations about signing the November Constitution would prove correct – the Prussians did field an army equal to the size of the entire Danish army; which consisted of roughly 38,000 men in four divisions. The Prussian army sent across the border consisted of roughly 38,400 men, and their Austrian allies counted another 23,000 strong.
In March 1864, the Prussian and Austrian armies began to cross into Denmark proper, the war was impossible for Denmark to win, as her armies were equipped with older technology compared to the Germanic war machine. In eighteen months, the Austrians were to soon learn how technologically superior their northern neighbors of Prussia were. At the climax of the Second Schleswig War, nearly 200,000 Danes in Schleswig-Holstein would be under Prussian and Austrian administration, until 1866 when Prussia would take over full administration.
Having recently come to the throne, the King’s work was cut out for him, his late predecessor had failed to sign the November Constitution; which had been just been adopted by parliament. Under pressure, King Christian IX would sign the constitution under pressure from the National Liberals party. The constitution would align Schleswig more closely with Denmark; which the Prussians viewed as a violation of the London Protocol signed in 1852.
The King’s reservations about signing the November Constitution would prove correct – the Prussians did field an army equal to the size of the entire Danish army; which consisted of roughly 38,000 men in four divisions. The Prussian army sent across the border consisted of roughly 38,400 men, and their Austrian allies counted another 23,000 strong.
In March 1864, the Prussian and Austrian armies began to cross into Denmark proper, the war was impossible for Denmark to win, as her armies were equipped with older technology compared to the Germanic war machine. In eighteen months, the Austrians were to soon learn how technologically superior their northern neighbors of Prussia were. At the climax of the Second Schleswig War, nearly 200,000 Danes in Schleswig-Holstein would be under Prussian and Austrian administration, until 1866 when Prussia would take over full administration.
Danish soldiers valiantly defending their homeland.
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A Renewed Kalmar
Charles XV, the King of Sweden beginning in 1859, had become a personal advocate for the term to be called Scandinavianism, or the merging of the three northern kingdoms into one, preferably under his control. His warm friendship with Frederik VII of Denmark had allowed for the use of Swedish and Norwegian troops in the defense of Denmark in the First and Second Schleswig War, regardless of the situation of the Swedish army; which was technologically backwards compared to the primary combatant: Prussia.
After the defeat of Denmark in the Second Schleswig War, the intellectual elites, along with the merchants in the upper-middle class gathered first in Copenhagen for a discussion regarding the fulfillment of Scandinavianism. The highlight of the discussion was the agreement to meet again one month later in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden to further discuss uniting as one kingdom. At Stockholm, the Scandinavian Monetary Union was established, combining the three kingdoms forms of currency into a new singular currency.
Beginning in April 1866, a serious of debates began at Kalmar, where the first union between Sweden and Denmark was announced that discussed the need to combine the three kingdoms into one. On October 12th, news of the Treaty of Vienna reached the delegates in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo that Austria had a signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Prussia and Italy. The Germanic states to the south were now placed in two camps: the North German Confederation dominated by Prussia, and the South German Confederation. The need to solidify into one kingdom became more apparent.
By early November, the delegates, including Christian IX and Charles XV met at Kalmar to continue the discussion amongst unifying into one kingdom. Over the winter months, after additional rounds of discussion at Stockholm, Copenhagen and Kalmar, an agreement had been reached. On March 2nd, 1867, the Kingdom of Scandinavia was officially proclaimed, with Christian IX of Denmark becoming King Christian IX of Scandinavia.
Though hard to renounce becoming King Charles XV of Scandinavia, the Swedish monarch agreed to allow Christian IX and male sons to become the first-in-line for the Scandinavian throne. With the additional time, now Prince Charles became a famous painter within the kingdom, and world renowned for his paintings depicting the monarchs of Denmark and Sweden until his untimely death in 1879.
After the defeat of Denmark in the Second Schleswig War, the intellectual elites, along with the merchants in the upper-middle class gathered first in Copenhagen for a discussion regarding the fulfillment of Scandinavianism. The highlight of the discussion was the agreement to meet again one month later in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden to further discuss uniting as one kingdom. At Stockholm, the Scandinavian Monetary Union was established, combining the three kingdoms forms of currency into a new singular currency.
Beginning in April 1866, a serious of debates began at Kalmar, where the first union between Sweden and Denmark was announced that discussed the need to combine the three kingdoms into one. On October 12th, news of the Treaty of Vienna reached the delegates in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo that Austria had a signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Prussia and Italy. The Germanic states to the south were now placed in two camps: the North German Confederation dominated by Prussia, and the South German Confederation. The need to solidify into one kingdom became more apparent.
By early November, the delegates, including Christian IX and Charles XV met at Kalmar to continue the discussion amongst unifying into one kingdom. Over the winter months, after additional rounds of discussion at Stockholm, Copenhagen and Kalmar, an agreement had been reached. On March 2nd, 1867, the Kingdom of Scandinavia was officially proclaimed, with Christian IX of Denmark becoming King Christian IX of Scandinavia.
Though hard to renounce becoming King Charles XV of Scandinavia, the Swedish monarch agreed to allow Christian IX and male sons to become the first-in-line for the Scandinavian throne. With the additional time, now Prince Charles became a famous painter within the kingdom, and world renowned for his paintings depicting the monarchs of Denmark and Sweden until his untimely death in 1879.
Charles XV of Sweden.
Balance of Power
Since the defeat of Emperor Napoleon I at Waterloo, Europe had known relative peace, excluding the minor disturbances of the Crimean War, First Schleswig and Second Schleswig War, it was mostly owed to the elaborate balance of power that had been created regarding the Congress of Vienna in 1815; which officially brought an end to the Napoleonic Wars. When Scandinavia declares its emergence to the world stage, the balance of power remained relatively the same, if not slightly against the Kingdom of Prussia, as the Scandinavia had been formed to combat the rampant militarism of the ambitious Iron Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. Though in reality, Scandinavia’s few divisions would be of minor resistance if Prussia were to mount a sizeable army.
The strength of the Scandinavian Army was divided in two fronts, one against Germanic states; which consisted of roughly 52,000 men in five divisions, and roughly 78,000 men in six divisions based around the northern border with Russia. The Kongelige Scandinavian Marine , consisted of two relatively new ironclads, that unfortunately were not worthy of fighting on the open seas. Other vessels were of little use, as their primary goal would be for coastal defense. Luckily, the main threat from the Germanic states was over land, not the seas, as Prussia officially did not have much of a naval force.
Europe’s balance of power was threatened during what became known as the Luxembourg Crisis, King William III of Netherlands, had amassed tremendous debt and was willing to sell Luxembourg; which was under his protection to ensure its sovereignty. Emperor Napoleon III, upon learning of the King’s debt, had inquired about the sale of Luxembourg. Napoleon took his time in this purchase to acquire Luxembourg; which allowed the Iron Chancellor to build up Prussian resistance to the issue. If Luxembourg was in either French or Germanic hands, was assumed to be a primary invasion route of either country.
A conference was called in London to discuss a resolution of the Luxembourg crisis; however no invitation arrived for a representative from Scandinavia, but after a request arrived for Queen Victoria of England from her fellow monarch, Christian IX, Scandinavia, though having little relevant relation with Luxembourg was invited to attend the conference on the basis that its fledgling status was nearing that of a Great Power. The conference would end in conclusion that the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg becomes an independent nation.
The second crisis that would threaten the balance of power in Europe evolved around another Napoleonic battleground, the Spanish Throne. During the Spanish Revolution of 1868, Isabella II had been deposed of, and a regency headed by Francisco Serrano y Dominguez from October 8th, 1868 until January 2nd, 1871; in between the time, the Spanish people were requesting a monarch. The crisis began when the Spanish Throne was offered to Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a Catholic – unlike the Prussian Hohenzollerns, who were Protestant. Leopold was uninterested in the matter, but after being approached by Otto von Bismarck, an issue was made for him to accept the throne.
France, determined not to face a possible two-front war with a Hohenzollern ruled Prussia and Spain, was determined to stop Prussian influence on the affairs of Europe. After slight pressure from France, Leopold was convinced by Baron von Werther, a senior foreign minister for Prussia to withdraw his candidacy for the Spanish Throne. The French government was highly disappointed that the Prussians had backed down, and needed the crisis prolonged. In a newspaper interview, Emperor Napoleon III was quoted saying that if a Hohenzollern was considered for the Spanish throne again, France would go to war. King Wilhelm I of Prussia sent a letter to the French ambassador; which was intercepted by Bismarck and edited to state:
Count Benedetti spoke to me on the promenade, in order to demand from me, finally in a very importunate manner, that I should authorize him to telegraph at once that I bound myself for all future time never again to give my consent if the Hohenzollerns should renew their candidature. I refused at last somewhat sternly, as it is neither right nor possible to undertake engagements of this kind à tout jamais. Naturally I told him that I had as yet received no news, and as he was earlier informed about Paris and Madrid than myself, he could clearly see that my government once more had no hand in the matter. His Majesty has since received a letter from the Prince. His Majesty having told Count Benedetti that he was awaiting news from the Prince, has decided with reference to the above demand, upon the representation of Count Eulenburg and myself, not to receive Count Benedetti again, but only to let him be informed through an aide-de-camp that his Majesty had now received from the Prince confirmation of the news which Benedetti had already received from Paris, and had nothing further to say to the ambassador. His Majesty leaves it to your Excellency whether Benedetti’s fresh demand and its rejection should not be at once communicated both to our ambassadors and to the press.
The letter would become known as the Ems Dispatch, with its purpose to have each party to be insulted at each other. With Bismarck’s craft, the intentions of the letter were fulfilled and declared war against Prussia on July 19th, 1870.
In the opening month of the conflict, a letter was presented to Christian IX offering; which had been screened by the Foreign Ministry, suggesting that the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the French Empire sign a military alliance against the militaristic Prussians. Included in the offer were the undeniable rights to the return of Schleswig-Holstein to the Scandinavian throne. For weeks, the Scandinavian parliament debated the offer; however it was rejected on the basis that Scandinavia would disrupt the balance of power; and would find that the French unable to be support if Scandinavia was attacked; and lastly reports from other foreign ministers and war correspondents the war was beginning to turn sour for the French. On September 1st, 1870, Christian IX officially read off the declaration of neutrality for Scandinavia.
The strength of the Scandinavian Army was divided in two fronts, one against Germanic states; which consisted of roughly 52,000 men in five divisions, and roughly 78,000 men in six divisions based around the northern border with Russia. The Kongelige Scandinavian Marine , consisted of two relatively new ironclads, that unfortunately were not worthy of fighting on the open seas. Other vessels were of little use, as their primary goal would be for coastal defense. Luckily, the main threat from the Germanic states was over land, not the seas, as Prussia officially did not have much of a naval force.
Europe’s balance of power was threatened during what became known as the Luxembourg Crisis, King William III of Netherlands, had amassed tremendous debt and was willing to sell Luxembourg; which was under his protection to ensure its sovereignty. Emperor Napoleon III, upon learning of the King’s debt, had inquired about the sale of Luxembourg. Napoleon took his time in this purchase to acquire Luxembourg; which allowed the Iron Chancellor to build up Prussian resistance to the issue. If Luxembourg was in either French or Germanic hands, was assumed to be a primary invasion route of either country.
A conference was called in London to discuss a resolution of the Luxembourg crisis; however no invitation arrived for a representative from Scandinavia, but after a request arrived for Queen Victoria of England from her fellow monarch, Christian IX, Scandinavia, though having little relevant relation with Luxembourg was invited to attend the conference on the basis that its fledgling status was nearing that of a Great Power. The conference would end in conclusion that the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg becomes an independent nation.
The second crisis that would threaten the balance of power in Europe evolved around another Napoleonic battleground, the Spanish Throne. During the Spanish Revolution of 1868, Isabella II had been deposed of, and a regency headed by Francisco Serrano y Dominguez from October 8th, 1868 until January 2nd, 1871; in between the time, the Spanish people were requesting a monarch. The crisis began when the Spanish Throne was offered to Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a Catholic – unlike the Prussian Hohenzollerns, who were Protestant. Leopold was uninterested in the matter, but after being approached by Otto von Bismarck, an issue was made for him to accept the throne.
France, determined not to face a possible two-front war with a Hohenzollern ruled Prussia and Spain, was determined to stop Prussian influence on the affairs of Europe. After slight pressure from France, Leopold was convinced by Baron von Werther, a senior foreign minister for Prussia to withdraw his candidacy for the Spanish Throne. The French government was highly disappointed that the Prussians had backed down, and needed the crisis prolonged. In a newspaper interview, Emperor Napoleon III was quoted saying that if a Hohenzollern was considered for the Spanish throne again, France would go to war. King Wilhelm I of Prussia sent a letter to the French ambassador; which was intercepted by Bismarck and edited to state:
Count Benedetti spoke to me on the promenade, in order to demand from me, finally in a very importunate manner, that I should authorize him to telegraph at once that I bound myself for all future time never again to give my consent if the Hohenzollerns should renew their candidature. I refused at last somewhat sternly, as it is neither right nor possible to undertake engagements of this kind à tout jamais. Naturally I told him that I had as yet received no news, and as he was earlier informed about Paris and Madrid than myself, he could clearly see that my government once more had no hand in the matter. His Majesty has since received a letter from the Prince. His Majesty having told Count Benedetti that he was awaiting news from the Prince, has decided with reference to the above demand, upon the representation of Count Eulenburg and myself, not to receive Count Benedetti again, but only to let him be informed through an aide-de-camp that his Majesty had now received from the Prince confirmation of the news which Benedetti had already received from Paris, and had nothing further to say to the ambassador. His Majesty leaves it to your Excellency whether Benedetti’s fresh demand and its rejection should not be at once communicated both to our ambassadors and to the press.
The letter would become known as the Ems Dispatch, with its purpose to have each party to be insulted at each other. With Bismarck’s craft, the intentions of the letter were fulfilled and declared war against Prussia on July 19th, 1870.
In the opening month of the conflict, a letter was presented to Christian IX offering; which had been screened by the Foreign Ministry, suggesting that the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the French Empire sign a military alliance against the militaristic Prussians. Included in the offer were the undeniable rights to the return of Schleswig-Holstein to the Scandinavian throne. For weeks, the Scandinavian parliament debated the offer; however it was rejected on the basis that Scandinavia would disrupt the balance of power; and would find that the French unable to be support if Scandinavia was attacked; and lastly reports from other foreign ministers and war correspondents the war was beginning to turn sour for the French. On September 1st, 1870, Christian IX officially read off the declaration of neutrality for Scandinavia.
Scenes from the Franco-Prussian War.
It was debated in the danish parlaiment in real life. but like here, they didnt count on the french to win. And great story
Opening of Africa
Since the beginning of the 18th Century, the European explorers had began staking claims upon the continent of Africa; the cradle of civilization. The most famous explorers of Africa were David Livingstone (England) and Serpa Pinto (Portugal); who both explored vast tracts of central and south Africa. With the end of the 19th century approaching, Europeans had discovered the great central lakes of Africa, traced the source of the mystique Nile; along with the Niger, Congo and Zambezi Rivers.
However, after the Franco-Prussian War, Europeans controlled only ten percent of the vast continent; with the major colonies by Algeria (France), Angola and Mozambique (Portugal) and the Cape Colony (England). With the industrial revolution in full swing, the technological increase begin what would become known as the Scramble for Africa between the European powers of England, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the Ottoman Empire.
Upon becoming Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck did not want Prussia; which became the German Empire after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, did not want to establish colonies. However, from the economic pressure at home, the Iron Chancellor gave in and discussed Weltpolitik ; which began as isolated voices within the fringes of German society. In 1884, the German Empire would acquire its first colony on August 7th, 1884, the day that merchant Adolf Lüderitz requested German protection from suspected encroaching British subjects.
With the Scramble in Africa in full swing, the government of Scandinavia was beginning to hear rumblings of acquiring its own colonial adventure that would provide vast resources and trade for the fledgling Great Power. On August 10th, 1884, Christian X decreed, with parliamentary approval, that colonies was not in the interest of the Scandinavian nation, that instead, Scandinavia must focus inwards before she could focus outwards. Without mentioning it directly, the newspapers clued in on the majesty’s words that Russian-controlled Finland needed to be liberated from Tsarist hands.
However, after the Franco-Prussian War, Europeans controlled only ten percent of the vast continent; with the major colonies by Algeria (France), Angola and Mozambique (Portugal) and the Cape Colony (England). With the industrial revolution in full swing, the technological increase begin what would become known as the Scramble for Africa between the European powers of England, Germany, France, Italy, Scandinavia and the Ottoman Empire.
Upon becoming Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck did not want Prussia; which became the German Empire after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, did not want to establish colonies. However, from the economic pressure at home, the Iron Chancellor gave in and discussed Weltpolitik ; which began as isolated voices within the fringes of German society. In 1884, the German Empire would acquire its first colony on August 7th, 1884, the day that merchant Adolf Lüderitz requested German protection from suspected encroaching British subjects.
With the Scramble in Africa in full swing, the government of Scandinavia was beginning to hear rumblings of acquiring its own colonial adventure that would provide vast resources and trade for the fledgling Great Power. On August 10th, 1884, Christian X decreed, with parliamentary approval, that colonies was not in the interest of the Scandinavian nation, that instead, Scandinavia must focus inwards before she could focus outwards. Without mentioning it directly, the newspapers clued in on the majesty’s words that Russian-controlled Finland needed to be liberated from Tsarist hands.
Cecil Rhodes of Great Britain.
So is it RL African divisions but without Belgian Congo?
Would have thought that'd be a pretty good target for Scandanavian colonilaism.
Would have thought that'd be a pretty good target for Scandanavian colonilaism.
The Congo State
Henry Morton Stanley, an associate of David Livingstone, carried out numerous expeditions into along the Congo River. He hoped to attract Europeans to colonize the area; however received little interest until Léopold II of Belgium formed the International African Association in 1876. By 1882, after significant treaties with the local tribes, the Congo Free State was formed under the direct ownership of Léopold II; exploiting it for the masses of ivory and rubber.
The Portuguese claimed the area of the Congo Free Stated as their own, dating back to treaties with the Kongo Empire signed in 1482 at the discovery of the mouth of the Congo River by Diogo Cao. On February 26th, 1884 Portugal signed a treaty with Britain agreeing to cut off the access to the ocean of the Congo Free State. Besides the Portuguese and the British, the French also claimed the area for themselves; while the Germans were glad to see Britain and France fighting over colonial holdings.
In November of 1884, Otto von Bismarck called for a conference of nations in Berlin to discuss the crisis in the Congo. The nations invited were; Germany (as host); Scandinavia (neutral party); Austria-Hungary; Britain; France; Portugal; Belgium; Italy; Spain; the United States of America; the Netherlands; Russia and the Ottoman Empire. After months of discussion, the borders of the African colonies were agreed upon.
The Congo Free Stated was confirmed as property of Leopold II, the King of the Belgians; in addition, free trade would reign supreme in the Congo Free State; along with the agreement the rivers were open to international trade. The stunning conclusion of the agreement was that any further colonization of Africa, which consisted of coastal territory, would need to be approved by the fourteen signing powers – however, at this time most of Africa’s coast was considered claimed.
The Portuguese claimed the area of the Congo Free Stated as their own, dating back to treaties with the Kongo Empire signed in 1482 at the discovery of the mouth of the Congo River by Diogo Cao. On February 26th, 1884 Portugal signed a treaty with Britain agreeing to cut off the access to the ocean of the Congo Free State. Besides the Portuguese and the British, the French also claimed the area for themselves; while the Germans were glad to see Britain and France fighting over colonial holdings.
In November of 1884, Otto von Bismarck called for a conference of nations in Berlin to discuss the crisis in the Congo. The nations invited were; Germany (as host); Scandinavia (neutral party); Austria-Hungary; Britain; France; Portugal; Belgium; Italy; Spain; the United States of America; the Netherlands; Russia and the Ottoman Empire. After months of discussion, the borders of the African colonies were agreed upon.
The Congo Free Stated was confirmed as property of Leopold II, the King of the Belgians; in addition, free trade would reign supreme in the Congo Free State; along with the agreement the rivers were open to international trade. The stunning conclusion of the agreement was that any further colonization of Africa, which consisted of coastal territory, would need to be approved by the fourteen signing powers – however, at this time most of Africa’s coast was considered claimed.
The European colonies on Africa.