Which of the following offers the best analysis of why an alliance system emerged in Europe?
A. Italy remained neutral with the outbreak of war
B. European countries sought to maintain a balance of power
C. great Britain and Germany were engaged in a fierce naval arms race
D. Germany felt isolated by Russia and France
B. European countries sought to maintain a balance of power
The alliance system emerged in Europe as countries sought to maintain a balance of power in order to prevent any one country from becoming too dominant and potentially threatening the security and stability of the continent. By forming alliances with one another, countries aimed to deter aggression from potential enemies and create a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single power could assert its dominance over the entire region.