With the Berlin Conference of 1874, rules for the division of Africa were established. It also had the effect of making the colonial powers even more aggressive in their pursuit of unclaimed territory around the world. A pattern was emerging among all the colonial countries. Any independently ruled nation with access to the sea were soon colonized under the pretext of bringing stability and the fruits of European enlightenment. While most commonly claims were made on the basis of some historic presence, having been essentially closed out of Africa and with intense competition for the remaining nonaligned Rajas in India, the remaining territories without some power pressing their own claim were limited to South America. Using the West Indies colony as a springboard for the operation, and the slimmest of pretexts, Denmark pressed the occupation of the previously independent republic of Venezuela. Being unopposed by any great power and supported by the growing Danish navy the landings and occupation went smoothly for the Danes.