Final answer:
The quote discusses militarism as the main cause of the arms race among European powers in the late 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote discusses the militarism as the MAIN cause of the arms race in the late 19th century. Militarism refers to the glorification of the military and the readiness for war. The major European powers, including France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia, were engaged in an arms race to build up the most extensive stores of weapons and armed forces, resulting in larger armies, more powerful artillery, and bigger warships. This competition to showcase strength and prestige led to tensions and rivalries among nations.