As former European colonies in the Americas experienced the growing pains of developing their own nations in the nineteenth century, European nations initiated a new wave of global expansion that would draw regions across the globe under imperial control. While most European nations aspired to imperialism, not all imperial powers employed the same tactics to gain control over and administer their empires.

Compare the development of two imperial powers. What factors inspired these nations to develop empires? How did the powers first gain control over their imperial territories? How did they administer their territories? What role did the local populations play in the imperial relationship?

Respond to classmates who have chosen different empires, and discuss similarities and differences among these powers and their empires.