Why did European countries seek out foriegn colonies to imperialize?
Aside from the natural resources, the European countries could populate the colonies and sell them products as well as buy the raw materials. Colonies also provided a safe harbor for the nation’s navy or commercial ships. The U.S., for example, wanted “coaling stations” in the Pacific while we were building a “two ocean” navy. Ministers also wished to “spread the word” to the “uncivilized” living in the future colonies.
