imperialism in the 16th century was motivated by the need to control trade and vital commondity goods such as spices and fur. The drive therefore to acquire colonies was not overly motivated by the need to rule over the natives and indigenous population. However, imperialism underwent a paradigm shift in the 19th century in that in the last years of the century, when industrialization was picking rapidly all over Europe, empire building became the driving factor for acquiring overseas colonies.
