Final answer:
Countries aimed to expand their global influence for resource acquisition, market expansion, and strategic power. Technological and military advantages allowed European powers to quickly establish imperialism in various regions, exploiting rich natural resources to benefit their industrial economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Countries may be interested in expanding their influence into other parts of the globe for several reasons, including economic, strategic, and political motivations. During the age of imperialism, European powers such as Great Britain sought to control territories rich in natural resources to fuel their growing industrial economies. The discovery of resources like gold and diamonds in South Africa, for example, drove the British to overcome strong native nations like the Zulu to exploit these valuable materials. Strategic considerations, such as the desire to establish markets for finished goods and to secure cheap raw materials to keep factories running, further fueled the race for overseas territories. The military conquest and superior technology in weaponry and medicine allowed for the quick spread of imperialism through Africa, the Middle East, and Asia by European nations.