How did industrialized nations respond in terms of imperialism during the Industrial Revolution?

During the Industrial Revolution, industrialized nations increasingly pursued colonization as a strategy to secure new markets and access valuable resources essential for sustaining their economic growth. As these nations expanded their industrial capabilities, they recognized the need for raw materials—such as cotton, rubber, and minerals—to feed their factories and produce goods at scale. To maintain their competitive edge and support their burgeoning economies, they sought out territories where these resources were abundant.

Additionally, establishing colonies provided a lucrative outlet for the surplus goods manufactured in their home countries, creating new customer bases eager to purchase these products. This dual drive for materials and markets led many industrialized countries to engage in aggressive imperialist policies, expanding their influence and control over large parts of Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

In contrast, the notion of isolationism or focusing solely on domestic manufacturing would not align with the global ambitions characteristic of industrialized nations during this era. Their foreign policies aimed to enhance their global standing and economic power rather than retreating from or avoiding international engagement.