Final answer:
Great Britain had political motives for acquiring new territories in the 19th century, including expanding their empire and preventing encroachment on their possessions. Acquiring new territories allowed them to gain resources, control trade routes, and strengthen their military presence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Great Britain had several political motives for acquiring new territories during the 19th century. One motive was to expand their empire and increase their political power. By acquiring new territories, they could gain more resources, control trade routes, and strengthen their military presence. For example, Great Britain competed with Russia for control of Afghanistan to limit Russian access to their valuable colony, India.
Another political motive was to prevent encroachment on their possessions by other industrial powers. By acquiring new territories, they could establish dominance over those regions and ensure that their colonies were not threatened by other nations.