Rivals on the World Stage Practice Test

A newspaper editorial from 1885 describes European powers racing to claim African territories, arguing that overseas colonies provide raw materials, new markets, and naval coaling stations. It notes that rival claims are increasingly settled by international conferences and treaties, yet competition remains intense. Which development most directly contributed to this surge in global rivalry among European states in the late 19th century?

A 1912 Balkan correspondent reports that small states are forming leagues, fighting over Ottoman territories, and appealing to rival great powers for backing. He observes that Russia and Austria-Hungary treat the region as vital to their prestige and security, making local wars unusually dangerous. Why were Balkan conflicts especially likely to draw in the great powers?