European nations began to search for new overseas colonies after 1880 to find people who would work in European factories for low wages. find people who would work in European factories for low wages. promote a free exchange of ideas between Eastern and Western cultures. promote a free exchange of ideas between Eastern and Western cultures. bring the economic benefits of industrialization to underdeveloped nations. bring the economic benefits of industrialization to underdeveloped nations. obtain raw materials for their industries and open new markets for their products.