Which European country led the way in the Age of Imperialism beginning with the Suez Canal conflict in 1882?

Great Britain led the way in the Age of Imperialism, particularly after the Suez Canal conflict in 1882. The British intervention aimed to secure control over the canal, which was crucial for trade routes to India and other colonies. This event marked a significant expansion of British imperial interests in Egypt and the broader region, setting the stage for increased colonial ambitions throughout Africa and Asia in the following decades.