Final answer:
The web of alliances escalated the conflict of World War I into a global war. These alliances caused countries to be pulled into conflict, broadening its reach. Nationalism fueled these relationships and the war itself, as nations sought to assert their dominance and protect their interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The web of alliances dramatically influenced the scope of World War I, transforming it from a regional conflict into a global war. These alliances created a domino effect, where a conflict between two countries quickly escalated as allied nations were drawn into the fray due to their mutual defense agreements. Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is c. It escalated the conflict into a world war. Nationalistic fervor, along with the race for imperialistic expansion, fed into the friction where these alliances became triggers for widespread warfare. These interconnected agreements meant that once Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, other nations such as Germany, Russia, France, and eventually the UK and its dominions were pulled into the conflict, creating a truly worldwide engagement.
The legacy of World War I included a redrawing of borders leading to newly formed countries, the Treaty of Versailles which imposed reparations and territorial losses on Germany, and set the stage for the rise of fascism and eventually World War II. Nationalism served as a driving force because it encouraged loyalty to one's country and the belief in its superiority, often at the expense of neighboring nations, widening the divides and escalating tensions pre-war.