What were the reasons for the sharp surge in colonial activity in the leading European countries in the last third of the 19th century?

In the last third of the 19th century, the colonial redistribution of the world began, the former leaders in the seizure of colonies (England, Holland, Portugal and France) were joined by the German Empire, Italy and partially even the United States, which in 1898 took Cuba and the Philippines away from Spain.

As a result, Germany managed to capture four territories in Africa (Togo, Cameroon, Namibia, Tanzania) and Papua and Samoa in the Pacific Ocean.

The technological factor also influenced, by the end of the century there were more railways, telegraph steamers, it became easier to organize the delivery of troops to the colonies.