European countries like England and Germany increased the size of their militaries due to the concept of militarism, which involves the glorification of the military and readiness for war.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the concept of militarism had a profound impact on major European powers like England and Germany, significantly influencing their military strategies and global relations. Militarism, characterized by the glorification of military power and a predisposition toward readiness for conflict, drove nations to bolster their armed forces and expand military capabilities.
England's formidable naval strength was a cornerstone of its power, prompting Germany's ambitions to challenge this supremacy by aiming to build a navy that could rival the Royal Navy.
This naval expansion, led by Germany, triggered a competitive arms race between the two nations.
The race for naval dominance escalated tensions and heightened the risk of conflict between Germany and Great Britain, as each sought to assert its naval superiority and safeguard its interests.
This arms race wasn't limited to just these two nations it reverberated across Europe.
The actions of one nation in bolstering its military capabilities often led to a domino effect, compelling other powers to respond in kind to maintain a balance of power or perceived security.
As a result, the continent found itself in a state of heightened military preparedness, laying the groundwork for the volatile atmosphere preceding World War.
Militarism's influence in fostering this arms race not only exacerbated tensions between nations but also contributed significantly to the complex web of alliances and conflicts that ultimately erupted into the cataclysmic global conflict of World War.