The problem has now begun now that the existence of Cape Verde Island is known. The conflict over Bolama began from 1884-1885 with Berlin. “The Berlin congress was dominated by France and England, but claims to Africa territory were also made by the host nation, Germany as well as by Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Belgium”(Lobban 41). Portugal claimed Cape Verde as their own property. However, Europeans also wanted the complete control over Cape Verde only if they could prove they could have efficient control over the islands. As a result, over the conflicts over Bolama, Cape Verde presence in Upper Guinea Coast was reduced to the trade ports at Bolama. Cape Verde was impacted increasingly as a result of the Berlin Congress’s decisions. Conflicts arose because of the lack of control over the interior posts of Bolama. Cape Verdeans turned to “parceiro” and “rendeiro” (sharecropping and tenant-farming). These labors were supplanted with “contratados” (contract labor), “brigadas de Estrada” (“road work gangs) and “frentes de trabalho” (unskilled labor force). This went on until they were liberated and obtained their independence in 1975 (Lobban 62). With these conditions, and hard labor, it resulted with “pitiful pay, harsh treatment, poor health, and early death for thousands” (Lobban 70).
“If Africa peoples resisted, they would be crushed in “pacification” mission and “punitive” campaigns. The European forces had Gatling guns and steam-powered ships and trains at their disposal, with which they could enforce policies that were often genocidal in practice” (Lobban 41).
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