Question

What economic need is often cited by historians as a reason for the colonization of other
countries by Europe?

Governments needed additional materials for creating currency.

Bankers needed to expand their customer base beyong Europe.

Countries needed more citizens to tax, so they added colonists as citizens.

Merchants needed more natural resources to continue manufacturing goods.

Answer 1

Merchants needed more natural resources to continue manufacturing goods.

Historians point to mercantilism and the later needs of expanding European manufacturing (and markets) — colonies supplied raw materials (sugar, cotton, timber, metals) and captive markets for European goods.