Why were the natural resources of Africa and Asia important to the Europeans in the 1800s?

Africa’s natural resources were an important component in motivating European colonialism. In the early 1800s, the triangular trade in slaves between Africa, the Americas and Europe exploited Africa’s population, but after the abolition of slavery other resources came to the fore.

Explanation:

answer; ///i do believe that the correct answer is (d); ///athens had a small population;