European countries

[perfectstranger]

Just as the European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too are we now attempting to extract energy and minerals from the ocean bed.
(A) Just as the European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too
(B) The European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, and in a similar way
(C) Like the case of the European countries of the early eighteenth century who sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too
(D) As in the exploitation of the resources of our continent by European countries of the early eighteenth century
(E) Similar to the European countries which sought in the early eighteenth century to exploit the resources of our continent

Please explain in a detailed way. OA after some time

[rahulg83]

Just as the European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too are we now attempting to extract energy and minerals from the ocean bed.
(A) Just as the European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too
(B) The European countries of the early eighteenth century sought to exploit the resources of our continent, and in a similar way
(C) Like the case of the European countries of the early eighteenth century who sought to exploit the resources of our continent, so too
(D) As in the exploitation of the resources of our continent by European countries of the early eighteenth century
(E) Similar to the European countries which sought in the early eighteenth century to exploit the resources of our continent

Please explain in a detailed way. OA after some time

A- Just as... so too... correct idiomatic usage
B- part before comma is correct, though we need comparison, but i feel second part 'in a similar way are we...' is awkward, not as good as A
C- Like should be used to compare noun, pronouns or noun phrases, awkward
D- even more awkward
E- wrongly comparing European countries with attempting to extract.......

IMO A

[pratikgandhi]

IMO A

Just as.. so too is idiomatic.

D& E are awkward english. B does not compare. A is better than C. I don't know if Like.. so too is idimatic or not