Europeans sought colonies outside of their borders primarily for economic benefit. As industrialism grew in Europe, the potential for wealth skyrocketed. New technologies also improved farming output which led to a population boom in many countries. As a result, Europeans felt the need to acquire more land to secure resources that could be used as inputs for manufacturing. The acquisition of land also relieved population pressures as people could move to these lands to pursue agricultural opportunities. Securing colonies also provided countries with exclusive markets to peddle their industrial and agricultural goods.
Europeans also felt that their religion and culture was superior to those cultures found in Africa and Asia. They hoped to 'civilize' the masses of people in those areas and sent in Christian missionaries. Schools were also established to Westernize people in the colonies. It can be argued that the efforts to assimilate the colonial peoples also had an economic motive. By teaching the people Western ways, they would be more productive which would lead to greater profits for the imperial powers.
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