<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> In historical contexts, New Imperialism characterises a period of colonial expansion by European powers, the United States, and Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries . The period featured an unprecedented pursuit of overseas territorial acquisitions . At the time, states focused on building their empires with new technological advances and developments, making their territory bigger through conquest, and exploiting their resources . </P> <P> During the era of New Imperialism, the Western powers (and Japan) individually conquered almost all of Africa and parts of Asia . The new wave of imperialism reflected ongoing rivalries among the great powers, the economic desire for new resources and markets, and a "civilizing mission" ethos . Many of the colonies established during this era gained independence during the era of decolonization that followed World War II . </P> <P> The qualifier "new" is used to differentiate modern imperialism from earlier imperial activity, such as the so - called first wave of European colonization between the 15th and early - 19th centuries . In the first wave of colonization, European powers conquered and colonized the Americas and Siberia; they then later established more outposts in Africa and Asia . </P>

What caused a new wave of european imperialism in the late 19th century