The United States
Apex
The United States has never held any territory in Africa.
To control more territory without going to war - Apex
European nations didn't gain any territory in the Middle East in the 1800s - Britain effectively took over control of Egypt in 1882, but Egypt is in North Africa rather than the Middle East, which remained under Ottoman control until well into WW1, in the 20th century. Whoever set the question is mistaken about events in the region during the 1800s.
the discovery of valuable natural resources by the portugese explorers
The United States
The control of Africa had been critical to European nations in 1913 because it offered them more power, territory, and abundant resources as well as a sufficient labor force. Basically, it could be considered as a race between all the competing countries for dominance in 1913.
The main goal of imperialists in Africa was to control more territory without going to war.
The United States has never held any territory in Africa.
The main goal of imperialists in Africa was to control more territory without going to war.
To control more territory without going to war
United States and Great Britain jointly controlled the Oregon territory.
Ruanda-Urundi was a United Nations Trust Territory in Africa, administered by Belgium after World War I. It consisted of the present-day countries of Rwanda and Burundi. The territory gained independence in 1962, with Rwanda and Burundi becoming separate nations.
To control more territory without going to war - Apex
Africa had a wealth of Natural Resources
A competition between European imperial powers to control Africa
United Nations trust territories were the successors of the remaining League of Nations mandates and came into being when the League of Nations ceased to exist in 1946. All of the trust territories were administered through the UN Trusteeship Council. The one territory not turned over was South-West Africa, which South Africa insisted remained under the League of Nations Mandate, and which eventually gained independence in 1990 as Namibia. The main objection was that the trust territory guidelines required that the lands be prepared for independence and majority rule.
European nations didn't gain any territory in the Middle East in the 1800s - Britain effectively took over control of Egypt in 1882, but Egypt is in North Africa rather than the Middle East, which remained under Ottoman control until well into WW1, in the 20th century. Whoever set the question is mistaken about events in the region during the 1800s.