European countries carved Africa into colonies in the 1800s for profit and political advantage. During this time, European powers sought to exploit Africa's vast resources, such as rubber, diamonds, gold, and other valuable commodities, to fuel their own industrialization and economic growth. Additionally, establishing colonies in Africa gave European countries strategic advantages, such as control over important trade routes and access to new markets. The scramble for Africa was driven by a desire to amass wealth and power, rather than promoting the slave trade, spreading Islamic beliefs, or developing African economies.