While religious conversion was sometimes a goal of colonial powers, it was not a strategic motive in the same way that economic gain, political power, and military security were.

Colonial powers sought access to raw materials, new markets for goods, and cheap labor in order to boost their economies.

Colonial powers sought to increase their power and prestige, control strategic waterways and trade routes, and establish buffer zones against potential enemies through colonialism.

Colonial powers sought to secure access to natural resources, protect trade routes, and establish naval bases and coaling stations in order to strengthen their military power.

The British Empire colonized India for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to India's vast cotton and tea plantations, control of the Indian Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against Russia.

The French Empire colonized Vietnam for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Vietnam's rubber and rice plantations, control of the Mekong River trade route, and the establishment of a naval base at Cam Ranh Bay.

The United States colonized the Philippines for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to the Philippines' sugar and tobacco plantations, control of the Pacific Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a naval base at Subic Bay.

The Japanese Empire colonized Manchuria for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Manchuria's coal and iron ore deposits, control of the Manchurian railway system, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the Soviet Union.

The Italian Empire colonized Ethiopia for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Ethiopia's coffee and hides, control of the Red Sea trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the British Empire.

The Belgian Empire colonized the Congo for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to the Congo's rubber and copper deposits, control of the Congo River trade route, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the French Empire.

The Portuguese Empire colonized Brazil for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Brazil's sugar and gold deposits, control of the Atlantic Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the Spanish Empire.

The Spanish Empire colonized Mexico for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Mexico's silver and gold deposits, control of the Pacific Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the United States.

The Dutch Empire colonized Indonesia for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Indonesia's spices and coffee, control of the Indian Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the British Empire.

The German Empire colonized Tanganyika for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Tanganyika's cotton and sisal plantations, control of the Indian Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the British Empire.

The Russian Empire colonized Siberia for a variety of strategic reasons, including access to Siberia's fur and mineral resources, control of the Arctic Ocean trade routes, and the establishment of a buffer zone against the Chinese Empire.