The major goals of industrialized nations that were building empires in the late 19th century were to gain access to resources, expand their markets, and spread their political and economic influence. In particular, many countries sought to gain control of land in order to exploit its resources, such as minerals, timber, and agricultural products. Additionally, by controlling more land, countries could expand their markets by trading with other countries and selling their goods. Finally, by expanding their empires, countries could also spread their political and economic ideologies and gain more power and influence in the global arena.