Answer: The alignment of European powers into hostile camps on the eve of the First World War was a complex result of several factors such as alliance systems, nationalism, imperialism and colonial rivalries, arms race and militarism, the system of alliances, and triggering events.
Step-by-step explanation: Nationalism was a powerful force in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many nations, particularly in the Balkans, sought to assert their independence and create nation-states. This led to tensions and rivalries between different ethnic groups and states, fueling conflicts and territorial disputes.
European powers were engaged in a race for colonies and resources around the world. This competition for economic and strategic advantages created rivalries and heightened tensions between the major powers. Disputes over colonial territories, such as the Balkans and Africa, further deepened divisions and hostilities.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914 by a Serbian nationalist was the catalyst for the outbreak of the war. This event ignited a series of diplomatic crises and triggered the mobilization of armies. The existing alliance systems and long-standing tensions among the powers quickly drew them into a large-scale conflict.