Why did european countries actively colonize much of the world between the 17th and 19th centuries? a. by colonizing much of the world, europeans hoped to stimulate global economic growth for the poorest regions. b. by gaining control over as much land as possible, europeans hoped to establish their cultural and moral superiority. c. europeans thought that a successful global economy depended on the establishment of global free trade. d. europeans hoped it would create new markets that would supply them with raw materials and provide customers for finished goods.