Final answer:
The major factor in European expansion into Africa, the Middle East, and Asia was the pursuit of gold, God, and glory. European powers were driven by a desire for wealth and resources (gold), religious motivations (God), and a quest for fame and power (glory). Hence, the correct answer is option (D).
Step-by-step explanation:
European powers were able to spread imperialism through Africa, the Middle East, and Asia rapidly due to a combination of factors including advanced technology in weaponry and medicine, and the pursuit of resources for trade and economic gain. The British conquest of the Zulu Nation illustrates the impact of superior technology, which permitted European powers to subdue larger, organized native forces. Additionally, the motivations of Gold, God, and Glory drove European nations to explore new territories—seeking wealth, spreading Christianity, and enhancing national prestige.
The race for resources like gold, diamonds, and slaves played a significant role in European expansionism. Commodities such as these not only enriched the European economies but also fueled the desire for further exploration and conquest.
The Age of Discovery, or the Age of Exploration, was marked by the initiation of European global trade networks, beginning with Africa. This era saw the establishment of the Triangle Trade, exchanging gold, ivory, and slaves, and significantly impacting the European economy as well as global relations and politics during that period.