Question

Europe's influence spread rapidly throughout the 19th century as it colonized Africa and Southeast Asia. Power and wealth were the driving forces in the search for raw materials to send back to European factories to produce manufactured goods. Through industrialization and the creation of strong nation-states, Europe was able to dominate the colonies and take whatever they needed – raw materials, crops, or cheap labor. Many European countries justified their actions by claiming that.....

Answer 1

Many European countries justified their actions by claiming that these resources were being wasted in Africa and Southeast Asia because the local people weren't using them.

Answer 2

they were bringing the benefits of their superior civilization to savage