The leading factor was the desire to control a much larger empire, possibly a global one. Hope this helps!
The primary motivation for European colonization of Asia from 1500 to 1800 was economic gain through control of valuable trade goods such as spices and silk. The race for empire-building among European nations, competition for resources, and advancements in navigation technology further fueled the colonization efforts. This period was marked by European powers striving to establish dominance and expand their empires.
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