“The complex interplay between emerging imperial ambitions and longstanding diplomatic tensions played a pivotal role in shaping 19th-century Europe. European powers competed fiercely for colonies and resources, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and rivalry. This competition not only spurred technological and economic changes but also fostered alliances that later predisposed the continent to widespread conflict. Diplomatic maneuvers were often as aggressive and consequential as military ones. National pride and the desire for global influence led countries to substitute traditional rivalries with new imperial contests. In this context, the seeds for future large-scale warfare were sown through a combination of economic greed and strategic maneuvering.”

Niall Ferguson, historian, Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World, 2003

According to the historian, which of the following was a key consequence of imperial rivalries among European powers during the nineteenth century?