In 1900, the British Empire covered a fifth of the land area of the earth. This led to conflict between the major countries of E
urope. Great Britain was trying to conquer Africa from Cairo (in the north) to Cape Town (in South Africa). France was trying to conquer Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. A few years later, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany wanted colonies in Africa, too. This angered other major countries and increased the tensions that led to World War I. The desire to take over lands for one's own country is called
Increasing hostility between European countries led to the rise of Imperialism with invasion, colonization and annexation of African territory in the mid-1800s Europe indulged in imperialism. European countries began colonizing for three factors, political, economic, and social. The Berlin Conference in 1885 helped the European powers in the colonization of Africa.
The British victory in the French and Indian War had a great impact on the British Empire. Firstly, it meant a great expansion of British territorial claims in the New World. But the cost of the war had greatly enlarged Britain's debt.
