Imperialism and colonialism expanded greatly during the Victorian era under Queen Victoria's rule. Colonialism referred to direct domination over a country, while imperialism provided the political justification for colonization. Economically, imperialism was driven by desires for new territories and markets. Britain expanded its empire worldwide during this period, colonizing India, Africa, and building the important Suez Canal in Egypt. The United States also began exhibiting imperialist tendencies through expansion across North America and the Caribbean and Pacific islands. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 set forth America's view of its sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere. In the end, both imperialism and colonialism caused significant territorial and social disruptions for colonized populations around