Final answer:
Militarism involves the belief in maintaining a (3) strong military and being prepared to use it aggressively. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, major European powers engaged in an arms race, significantly increasing their military capabilities, which contributed to the tensions leading up to World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that a nation ought to have a potent military and be ready to use it forcefully in order to protect or advance its interests as a nation is known as militarism. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, major powers such as Great Britain, France, and Germany engaged in significant military buildup, more than doubling their defense spending and the sizes of their militaries, leading to what is sometimes referred to as an arms race.
Imperialism and Nationalism
Imperialism, the economic, political, and military domination of strong nations over weaker ones, and nationalism, the belief that a nation's interests and unity are paramount, often went hand in hand with militarism. These ideologies contributed to the tensions that ultimately erupted into World War I, as nations built up their armed forces and vied for global dominance.
Great Britain and France had extensive colonial empires and powerful navies, while Germany sought to match British naval power with the construction of its own Dreadnought battleships. This naval rivalry exemplified the competitive nature of militarism at that time. The arms race was not restricted to maritime power; it also included the expansion of standing armies, leading to a climate of distrust and competition among nations.