AP World History Students Recreate Berlin Conference

Students in Mr. Cohen’s AP World History class took part in an engaging simulation of the 1884–85 Berlin Conference, where European powers negotiated how to divide the African continent during the “Scramble for Africa.”

In the activity, students represented different nations and received a role card outlining the territories they already controlled, the regions they hoped to claim, and their negotiating power on a scale of 1–4. During negotiations, nations with lower negotiating power were required to give in to those with stronger power, encouraging students to form alliances and think strategically.

The simulation followed several key rules: every nation had to receive some territory, starting possessions could not be traded away, land could not be shared, and, true to diplomatic tradition, no violence was allowed.

The classroom quickly filled with lively debate as students passionately argued their country’s case and brought this important moment in world history to life.