Final answer:
Militarism refers to the buildup of military forces to defend or expand national interests, commonly associated with protecting colonies and engaging in arms races. Great Britain, France, and Germany notably increased their military spending and forces during the period leading up to World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the 'buildup of military to protect colonies' is known as militarism. This concept refers to the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, countries like Great Britain, France, and Germany engaged in militarism, significantly increasing their defense budgets and the sizes of their military forces.
In the context of imperialism, militarism often entailed the enhancement of military force to protect a nation's colonies from encroachment by other imperial powers. For instance, Great Britain expanded its navy to safeguard its access to India from Russian advances. Militarism can lead to an arms race, as seen with the naval rivalry between Germany and Great Britain, which revolved around the construction of Dreadnought-class battleships. This competition and escalation in military forces can potentially incite tensions that contribute to the outbreak of conflicts such as world wars.