Final answer:
Imperialism in the 19th century was fueled by economic, political, and cultural motives, and was enabled by advanced European technology and ideology that justified domination over other regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Imperialism played a crucial role in the expansion of European powers during the 19th century. It was an era where the desire for economic enrichment, political influence, and cultural dominance drove the continent's nations to extend their control over other parts of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Technology, notably from the Industrial Revolution, was central to this expansion, as it provided the means for superior military equipment, faster transportation, better communication, and medical advances such as quinine for treating malaria, which allowed Europeans to survive in tropical climates that were previously inhospitable. The belief in cultural superiority and Social Darwinism provided ideological justification for these actions, despite the often brutal consequences for the colonized populations.