Which factor contributed to World War I by prompting European powers to compete for land and resources?

• A. Nationalism
• B. Imperialism
• C. Militarism
• D. Alliances

Answer: (B)

Imperialism is the drive to build an overseas empire by seizing or establishing control over lands and exploiting their resources. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers competed fiercely for colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to gain raw materials, new markets, and strategic advantages. This scramble for land and resources created widespread rivalries and distrust, fueling conflicts and bold moves among nations as they sought to outdo each other. While nationalism can heighten pride and militarism focuses on bolstering armed forces and alliances bind nations together, imperialism directly explains why powers pressed for more territory and resources, laying the groundwork for the tensions that sparked World War I.