Economic Factors: European powers sought new territories for economic gain and the acquisition of resources. Colonies and territories provided access to raw materials, markets for manufactured goods, and cheap labor, which were essential for industrial growth and economic expansion.
Social Darwinism: The prevailing ideology of Social Darwinism, which emphasized competition and survival of the fittest, encouraged European powers to expand their empires. It suggested that stronger nations had a natural right to dominate weaker ones, justifying colonization and territorial conquest.
Geopolitical Rivalry: There was intense competition among European powers to secure strategic territories, coaling stations, and access to trade routes. They sought to gain control of key geographic locations to prevent rivals from gaining an advantage.
Missionary and Religious Zeal: European powers had a strong missionary zeal to spread Christianity and their culture to the indigenous populations of colonized regions. They saw this as a moral duty and a way to expand their religious influence.
Racism and Ethnocentrism: Many Europeans believed in the inherent superiority of their race and culture. This led to the belief that they had a duty to "civilize" the "inferior" peoples of colonized regions.
Historical Precedents: European powers had a long history of exploration and colonization, and there was a sense of continuity and momentum driving their expansion in the late 1800s.