Final answer:
Advanced military technology, geographic knowledge and navigation skills, and economic self-sufficiency were the factors that enabled Europeans to carve out huge empires in distant lands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that enabled Europeans to carve out huge empires in distant lands were advanced military technology, geographic knowledge and navigation skills, and economic self-sufficiency.
Advanced military technology gave European powers an advantage in warfare, allowing them to overpower resistance from local populations. This technology included weapons like guns and cannons, which were far superior to what indigenous peoples possessed.
Geographic knowledge and navigation skills enabled Europeans to navigate and explore the oceans, finding quicker routes to the East. New sailing technology, such as the lateen sail, cannons, and magnetic compass, facilitated long-distance travel.
Economic self-sufficiency drove European powers to seek new territories for resources and markets. They wanted access to cheap raw materials and bigger markets to sell finished goods, which were important factors in their pursuit of overseas expansion.