For over four centuries, European nations reshaped the world and transformed from a collection of warring kingdoms into the dominant global powers. But no period of expansion was as dramatic (or as devastating) as the 19th and early 20th centuries, when European empires tightened their grip on the planet.
At the heart of this expansion was Africa—the last major landmass that European powers had not yet divided among themselves. What followed was a striking display of technological advancement, diplomatic maneuvering, and sheer ruthlessness, culminating in what is now called the Scramble for Africa.
But how did European nations achieve such rapid expansion? Why was this period so different from earlier waves of colonization? And how, despite the collapse of these empires, does their influence still shape the world today? Click through the following gallery to find out.