Read this passage:
By the early 1900s, European imperial powers had built up
huge armies and navies to enforce their claims on colonies
around the world. Each power raced to build a larger and
more advanced army than its rivals in Europe. When
Germany invested heavily in its navy, Great Britain and
other European powers responded by pouring resources
into their own naval forces. This led to a massive buildup
of weaponry in Europe in the years before World War I.
Which contributing factor to World War I does the passage most clearly
reflect?
A. imperialism
B. the alliance system
C. nationalism
D. militarism