Question

question 14 of 20
what was a key motivation behind european imperialism in the 18th and 19th centuries?
a. europeans hoped to escape disease and famine.
b. europeans needed slave labor for new factories.
c. europeans made new advancements in navigation.
d. europeans sought new markets for their surplus goods.

Explanation:

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution in Europe led to mass production, creating surplus goods. European powers sought overseas colonies as new markets to sell these excess products, which was a core economic motivation for imperialism. Option A is incorrect as escaping disease/famine was not a key driver; Option B is wrong because slave labor was declining in this era, replaced by wage labor in factories; Option C describes a technological enabler, not a motivation.

Answer:

D. Europeans sought new markets for their surplus goods.