Answer:
Prior to World War I, colonial powers were seeking to expand their territories and increase their economic and political power through the colonization of other parts of the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to World War I, colonial powers were seeking to expand their territories and increase their economic and political power through the colonization of other parts of the world. European countries, such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal, had established colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where they extracted resources, established trade networks, and exerted political influence over the native populations.
Colonial powers justified their expansion by claiming to bring civilization and progress to "uncivilized" societies. They also used military force and diplomacy to secure their territorial claims and suppress local resistance. The quest for colonies also reflected intense competition between European powers, with each seeking to gain an advantage over the others.
Colonial powers sought to establish economic monopolies in their colonies, controlling the production and distribution of valuable resources such as rubber, oil, and minerals. They also sought to exploit cheap labor, often through forced labor or slavery, and to establish markets for their manufactured goods.
Overall, the colonial period was marked by the exploitation and oppression of colonized peoples, as well as resistance and struggle for independence and self-determination. The legacy of colonialism continues to shape global power relations and inequalities today.