When there is a competition by opposing nations to control foreign lands it is called what?

When there is a competition by opposing nations to control foreign lands it is called "Imperialism".

Explanation:

The larger country or government culture grows stronger by rolling over poorer or weaker, resource-rich countries, overall acquire their foreign policy by gaining political and economical sources followed by military force. The imperialism can be divided into three types colonies, protectorates and spheres of influence.

For an instance, in this era American imperialism was the invasion of Hawaii in 1898, that enabled the United States to take ownership and control of all ports, buildings, harbors, military equipment, and public property that officially belonged to the Hawaiian Islands monarchy.