The craving for power can lead to chaos, especially when the entity already has immense power to begin with. Imperialism is defined as the action of a strong nation taking control of another that is considered weaker. In the 1800's, Europeans imperialized Africa through a multitude of ways. The natural resources were deemed valuable by other nations, making African territory desirable for purposes such as the increase of trade. The driving force behind European imperialism in Africa is unknown to some people, though there are three main reasons. It had to do with politics, technology, and economics—the overall root cause.

National competition was a leading factor when it came to Africa being imperialized. Many European countries were at a race to seize African colonies, which resulted in several nations like the British, French, Germans, Italians, Portuguese, Belgians, and Spanish dividing independent African states (Document A). Each country wanted to advance by claiming the most African territory as fast as possible, raising national competition. John Ruskin, an English author, stated, "their first aim is to be to advance the power of England by land and by sea" (Document B). The nations knew that they would gain power by colonizing African states because of the land benefits and natural resources, so they had to go about it fast, otherwise alternate countries would do it first.

Technological development was another large portion of how African territory was imperialized. Throughout the 1800's, inventions like the steam engine, electric telegraph, bessemer process, maxim gun, and repeating rifle were all formed (document C). The steam engine in particular was important for spreading European influence in Africa because it increased transportation, encouraging cultural diffusion. New inventions aided nations in colonizing weaker ones, as well as making preexisting ones more desirable considering their resources.

Though national competition and technological development were important factors in European imperialism in Africa, economics were the driving force of it all. Several resources being imported and exported had a significant impact on Africa's economy (Document D). Other nations were taking more than Africa could give without compensation for the losses (document E). These colonies benefited themselves by increasing trade and their access to materials, though it demolished the opportunity for Africa to do the same. This strengthened other countries while weakening Africa even more, leaving them vulnerable to be imperialized by European nations.

Although national competition caused a race between nations to colonize African territory and technological development allowed easier availability to doing so, economics were the main factor. Other countries robbing Africa of their resources made them more susceptible to imperialism because they were weak. The whole dynamic was thrown off as the balance of power went off course as a result of this. If European nations compensated for the resources they were taking from Africa, African territory would've been more likely to avoid imperialism.