Final answer:
European nations competed for power before World War I by establishing overseas colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the years before World War I, European nations competed for power by establishing overseas colonies. This was known as the age of imperialism, where European powers sought to extend their influence and control over territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
By acquiring colonies, these nations aimed to increase their wealth, resources, and prestige. They exploited the resources and labor of the colonies and established political and economic dominance over them.
Examples of European nations competing for power through colonialism include the Scramble for Africa, where several European powers rushed to claim territories in Africa, and the division of Asia through spheres of influence, such as British control over India and French control over Indochina.
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