Final answer:
European powers and the United States negotiated territorial divisions globally, fostering rivalries that contributed to WWI. These actions were motivated by economic, nationalistic, and strategic purposes, culminating in a world ripe for conflict. The alliances formed before the war and the partitioning of territories played crucial roles in the eventual conflict and its aftermath.
Step-by-step explanation:
The negotiations between European powers amidst their colonial expansions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas set the stage for future conflicts, including World War I. Who was involved? Major European powers and the United States were key players in these territorial agreements. The French, British, Germans, Russians, and Americans carved out territories involved around the globe, with Africa's partition being particularly impactful. Why did this event take place? Driven by desires for economic gain, national prestige, and strategic advantage, these events occurred within a framework of intense nationalism and imperial competition.
The final outcome of this pre-war jockeying was a world largely divided into European spheres of influence, creating a breeding ground for discontent, rivalry, and ultimately conflict. The competition for colonies and the complex network of alliances were pivotal in the outbreak of World War I. Following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a regional conflict in the Balkans escalated into a global war due to the entangled alliances. This war saw the introduction of new weaponry, the extensive use of colonial troops, and significant changes in the global political landscape, including shifts in colonial possessions and the creation of zones of occupation that influenced post-war politics.