Enclosure pushed people out of rural areas
Widespread poverty meant the only place to get any money at all was the cities.
Agricultural revolution meant fewer people needed to work on farms.
new jobs in cities
more room in cites
European countries wanted new markets and resources
they believed (due to Darwinism) that their countries were better and it was their duty to spread their culture.
wanted to establish naval bases to protect shipping routes and increase military power
Significance: The belgians were able to rule the Congo because they believed that:
They needed to bring civilization to the people of the Congo
Belgium lacked power
The resources the Congo offered were in high demand
And this support for imperialism combined with their technological advances; in weapons and transportation, made it so they could take over this huge territory in Africa. The brutality came along with it because of their sense of superiority.