Final answer:
Militarism refers to the glorification of the military and a readiness for war. The major European powers engaged in an arms race to build up their military forces. This led to tension, particularly between Great Britain and Germany, as each nation aimed to outdo the other in naval power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Militarism refers to glorification of the military and a readiness for war. Prompted by a desire to showcase their strength and prestige, the major European powers engaged in an arms race, or competition to build up the most extensive stores of weapons and armed forces. As one nation increased the size of its military, others responded in kind. For example, Great Britain had a well-established navy, stemming from roots during the Industrial Revolution and its extensive colonial empire. Germany embarked on a quest to build a navy to rival that of Great Britain, resulting in tension between the two nations. The naval rivalry centered on construction of the Dreadnought battleship, launched in 1906. The Dreadnought revolutionized naval technology, and redefined the standard for battleship technology. Germany went to work constructing its own destroyers, and Great Britain responded by expanding its fleet.
The growth of armed forces leading to World War I is known as militarism, a period marked by an arms race among European powers like Great Britain, France, and Germany, resulting in increased defense spending and military expansions.
The growth of armed forces that was one factor leading to World War I is known as militarism. This term characterizes the significant increase in military personnel and weaponry, as nations strove to showcase their power and preparedness for potential conflict. European powers like Great Britain, France, and Germany more than doubled their defense spending and the size of their militaries between 1890 and 1913, engaging in an arms race in anticipation of war. The development of advanced military technology like the Dreadnought battleship further intensified these tensions among nations, bringing them closer to the brink of war.