The Convention of London (1874)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the French Empire, the German Empire, and the Russian Republic,
Viewing with grave concern the rapid and unsustainable establishment and expansion of colonial possessions on the African continent,
Acknowledging that such reckless expansion is detrimental to the continued stability of that continent and to cordial relations within Europe,
United in their belief that the process of colonization must be regulated and structured so as to ensure continued peace, the spread of civilization, and the well-being of the African race,
Hereby issue the following convention, to be ratified as standing policy of our respective nations and to be enforced by those nations as necessary.
I. The undersigned nations shall commit to a joint effort to halt the reckless and unregulated expansion of colonies, holdings, and protectorates within the continent of Africa. The following provisions shall be enacted against those nations deemed by joint agreement to be engaging in unregulated colonial endeavors.
II. The undersigned nations shall deny any aid or assistance to expeditions, vessels, or other national endeavors designed to promote or establish the unregulated colonization or subjugation of African lands or peoples.
III. The undersigned nations shall deny access to their lands, their ports, and their waterways to expeditions, vessels, or other national endeavors designed to promote or establish the unregulated colonization or subjugation of African lands or peoples.
IV. The undersigned nations shall, at their option, be permitted to levy trade sanctions, to issue embargoes, and to deny trade access to any nation deemed to be engaging in unregulated colonial practices in contravention of this proclamation.
V. The undersigned nations shall refuse to acknowledge the validity of any national claim to African lands save those ratified by joint agreement, and shall actively work toward the disestablishment of illegitimate claims and holdings on the African continent.
VI. The undersigned nations agree to convene in the city of Berlin in the summer of 1875, there to discuss the implementation of regulations and structures for the establishment and expansion of African holdings, colonies, and protectorates, to determine the validity of existing claims to African lands, and to create a consensus regarding future African endeavors.
We so agree and swear, on this day and at this time, acting on behalf of our respective national governments and in full accordance with their desires,
[X] - Her Royal Majesty, Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
[X] - His Imperial Majesty, Napoleon IV, Emperor of the French
[X] - Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany
[X] - Alexander Gorchakov, Chancellor of the Russian Republic