First of all... what period? because if you are talking about this time, I think it is becaise they want to feel powerful to be able to have more allied countries in any situation, they also do it because they want to control most of the world natural sources that other countries have.
During the French Revolution, countries like Spain, Portugal and France achieved their independence from the European monarchies that held power over them.The French revolution took place between the years 1789 to
1799. It was a time of great turmoil as far as political and social mayhem in
France was concerned. This was the revolution that helped in overthrowing the
monarchy and the beginning of the republic. This period ultimately culminated
under the dictatorship of Napoleon the great. He brought in many liberal ideas
that the people accepted.
The capital was built as a city in the south because Hamilton made a compromise that if they repaid state debts the capital would be built there
