Final answer:
Belief in cultural superiority and a 'civilizing mission' justified European imperialism, with factors like technological advancements, Social Darwinism, and the weakening of traditional powers like the Ottoman Empire contributing to the success and speed of their expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Europeans justified their imperialistic actions, including the swift spread of imperialism through Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, based on a belief in their cultural superiority. This ethnocentric perspective posited that it was their duty to civilize and bring Christian values to the regions they were colonizing. Europeans viewed themselves as bearers of Western Civilization, a justification that was bolstered by technological advancements and ideologies such as Social Darwinism. Additionally, internal weaknesses in regions like the Ottoman Empire and the rivalry between European states fueled imperialism. Competing for global dominance, European powers exploited their technological superiority and capitalized on the weakening of traditional powers, all under the banner of a 'civilizing mission' that often masked economic and political motivations.
The advancement in technology and medicine allowed European soldiers and administrators to survive in previously inhospitable regions. Finally, the cultural and racial ethnocentrism that emerged created a coherent European self-identity, contrasting with and seeking to civilize the 'other' cultures they encountered.