... might justify colonialism, but economics could not. By the 19th century, free-trade policies were prompting European nations to pursue informal empires or spheres of influence. B Religious and Strategic Motives European countries also wanted to spread their religious beliefs and eliminate other religions. Roman Catholic countries, particularly Spain, set out to convert non-Christian native peoples. Protestant countries also used religion as a motive for ... nation with representative political institutions. More immediately, the French and Indian War (1754-1763) changed the relationship...

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