Question

Which of the following offers the best analysis of why an alliance system emerged in Europe?
• Italy remained neutral with the outbreak of war.
• Germany felt isolated by Russia and France.
Great Britain and Germany were engaged in a fierce naval arms race.
• European countries sought to maintain a balance of power.

Answer 1

"European countries sought to maintain a balance of power."

Explanation: the alliance system before World War I grew mainly from states trying to prevent any single power from becoming dominant and to protect their security by pooling strength. Specific tensions (German isolation, the Anglo‑German naval race, rivalries) fed into that drive, but the broad motive was balancing power.