The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was organized by Otto von Bismarck to avoid European conflicts over colonial claims in Africa. Fourteen European nations attended and divided Africa among themselves, with France, Germany, Britain, and Portugal controlling most territories. In Southern Africa after the Conference, Britain controlled Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, while Portugal controlled Angola, Mozambique, and Namibia, and Germany controlled Namibia. This led to the Boer War between British forces and the independent Boer republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal from 1899-1902, resulting in their absorption into the British Empire.