Rivals on the World Stage Practice Test

By the early 20th century, many European governments adopted detailed mobilization timetables and war plans, assuming that speed would decide outcomes. Because alliances promised support in a crisis, leaders feared that delaying mobilization could be fatal. This logic made diplomacy more brittle during confrontations, especially in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Which statement best explains how militarism and planning increased the likelihood of a general European war?

Nationalism and mass politics intensified rivalries by making foreign policy a public issue. Newspapers celebrated imperial victories, politicians promised toughness in crises, and military planning became more rigid as leaders feared appearing weak. In Germany, some elites promoted Weltpolitik to rally support and claim “a place in the sun,” while in France memories of defeat in 1871 shaped security thinking. Which concept best captures how domestic political pressures could push states toward more confrontational international behavior?