In the context of late nineteenth century imperialism, which statement about the Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885 is correct?

Introduction / Context:
The Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885 was a key event in the era known as the Scramble for Africa. European powers met in Berlin to establish rules for colonization and trade on the African continent. This question checks whether you understand the purpose and outcome of the conference and can distinguish it from other international meetings and organizations in modern world history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The conference took place in Berlin in the mid 1880s.
• Major European powers, including Germany, Britain, France, and others, participated.
• The focus was on African territories, especially along the Congo and Niger rivers.
• Only one statement correctly captures the conference's purpose and impact.

Concept / Approach:
The central concept is that the Berlin Conference set rules for European claims in Africa, seeking to avoid conflict among European states while accelerating colonization. It did not create global peace organizations or deal with South America. Nor did it free colonies; instead, it reinforced and systematized imperial control. To answer correctly, identify the option that refers to regulating colonization and trade in Africa and disregard those that mention other continents or purposes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Scramble for Africa involved rapid European conquest and division of African territories. Step 2: Remember that German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck convened the conference in Berlin to prevent clashes among European states. Step 3: Understand that the conference established rules about effective occupation and recognized certain claims, especially in the Congo basin. Step 4: Read option a, which correctly states that the conference regulated European colonization and trade in Africa and formalized the partition of much of the continent. Step 5: Compare this with option b, which wrongly claims the focus was South America, and option c, which falsely states that colonial claims were abolished and independence guaranteed. Step 6: Note that option d incorrectly links the conference to the creation of the League of Nations, which actually followed World War One. Step 7: See that option e is false because control of the Congo basin was associated with King Leopold II of Belgium and the Congo Free State, not the Ottoman Empire.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history texts describe the Berlin Conference as a meeting that regulated European expansion in Africa and formalized boundaries that largely ignored African peoples and political structures. They do not describe it as a peace conference for South America or as an early United Nations style body. This confirms that option a is the one that aligns with historical evidence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is wrong because the conference focused on Africa, not South America. Option c reverses reality by claiming decolonization instead of intensified colonization. Option d confuses the conference with later institutions created after World War One. Option e misidentifies the beneficiary of Congo basin decisions, which were tied to Belgium, not the Ottoman Empire.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up international conferences, especially when there are many names and dates. It is easy to confuse the Berlin Conference with the Congress of Vienna or with the creation of the League of Nations. Another pitfall is assuming that any conference must have been concerned with peace or decolonization, when in fact this one helped organize imperial expansion. Keeping the phrase Scramble for Africa linked to Berlin Conference will help you remember its true purpose.

Final Answer:
It was convened to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa, effectively formalizing the partition of much of the continent.