Trade - the desire to benefit British companies and secure trade routes, e.g. The British-owned East India Company had a monopoly on trade with Asia
economics - the desire to increase Britain's wealth; George Orwell once wrote that the Empire was "a despotism with theft as its final objects"
politics - the urge to prevent other European countries from becoming too powerful, as can be seen with the so-called 'scramble for Africa' at the end of the 19th century
ambition - Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829-1894) wrote that the Raj was "founded not on consent but on conquest"
religion - the desire to spread Christianity
adventure and curiosity - the longing to explore and learn about new countries and peoples
economics - the desire to increase Britain's wealth; George Orwell once wrote that the Empire was "a despotism with theft as its final objects"
politics - the urge to prevent other European countries from becoming too powerful, as can be seen with the so-called 'scramble for Africa' at the end of the 19th century
ambition - Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829-1894) wrote that the Raj was "founded not on consent but on conquest"
religion - the desire to spread Christianity
adventure and curiosity - the longing to explore and learn about new countries and peoples
