Prior to the beginning of world war i, many european nations took an imperialistic approach to africa and began colonizing it. why did they do this?
a. they were trying to prevent african nations from gaining their freedom.
b. their economies were becoming stagnant, and they needed a new source of trade.
c. each needed a base of operations knowing that another war was coming.
d. there was a need for keeping the united states from colonizing the continent.

B. Their economies were becoming stagnant, and they needed a new source of trade.

Explanation:

European nations were responsible for the colonization of America. This allowed them to enrich their countries and to have constant trade partners in order to prevent their economies from becoming stagnant. However, after most nations in America became independent, Europe began to look for new ways to expand its territories. Africa was then seen as a suitable target, and the colonization of the continent began.

the first forms of writing came from them in the form of pictographs around 3100 bc.