Final answer:
Europeans targeted Africa and Asia for their rich natural resources and valuable trade goods, motivated by economic interests, technological superiority, and the desire for imperial prestige.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the period of European colonization, two regions particularly sought after by Europeans were Africa and Asia. Europeans were drawn to Africa for its abundance of natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and various others that could be exploited for profit. This scramble for resources was partly fueled by the advancing industrialization in Europe, which required raw materials for production. Similarly, trade with Asia offered Europeans valuable goods like spices, silk, and tea, which were highly prized in European markets. The expansion into these regions was also driven by a desire for economic dominance and the cultural mindset of imperialism, where having colonies was a symbol of power and prestige.
European powers, such as the British, used their technological superiority in weapons and medicine to gain an upper hand in conquests like overcoming the Zulu Nation in South Africa. Economic and strategic motivations, coupled with technological advances, allowed European nations to establish and maintain dominance over these regions during this era.