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Heightened National Rivalries: The Berlin Conference established rules for the colonization of Africa, with European powers staking territorial claims across the continent. This fierce competition for resources and prestige heightened national rivalries, particularly among Britain, France, and Germany. As each power vied for more territory, colonial disputes and rivalries spilled over into European relations, contributing to mutual suspicion and distrust. Militarizati on and Alliances: The need to defend overseas colonies increased the militarization of European nations. Countries began expanding their navies and armies to secure their colonial possessions, fueling an arms race and setting up a confrontational environment. This militarization dovetailed with alliance-building: countries formed strategic partnerships to guard against the threat of war over imperial interests, leading to the complex alliance system that contributed to the outbreak of World War I. Racial and Nationalist Ideologies: The ideological justification for empire-building during the Berlin Conference contributed to a rise in nationalism and ethnocentric attitudes within Europe. The conference reinforced ideas of national superiority and a duty to “civilize,” embedding a sense of mission that supported aggressive nationalist policies. This belief in national and racial superiority fueled support for war when European nations sought to assert their power and protect their interests. Destabiliza tion of European Politics: While the conference initially aimed to reduce conflicts over colonial claims, it ultimately set up tensions that destabilized European politics. Disputes over borders in Africa and the desire to prevent one nation from becoming too powerful prompted diplomatic and military tensions. When crises arose in Europe—such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand—this already volatile political environment made it easier for countries to slide into a global conflict.

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