Question

Assertion: The Berlin Colonial Conference of 1884–85 had resolved that Africa should be divided into spheres of influence of various colonial powers.

Reason: The war between the British and Boers in South Africa, however, was in defiance of this resolution

Options

• Both A and R are right

• A is right, but R is not the right reason

• Both A and R are wrong

• A is wrong, and R has no relevance to A

Answer 1

Both A and R are right

Explanation:

The Berlin Colonial Conference of 1884–85 decided that European powers would divide Africa into spheres of influence to avoid conflict during colonisation. This meant each power would control specific regions and respect others’ claims. However, the war between the British and the Boers in South Africa went against this agreement. The British aimed to take over Boer territories rich in resources, leading to a violent conflict that violated the peaceful division agreed upon at the conference. Hence, both the assertion and the reason are correct.