- Nationalism: The late 19th century saw a rise in nationalism, a belief in the superiority of one's own nation and a desire to assert its power and influence. This was fueled by a variety of factors, including economic competition, territorial disputes, and cultural pride.
- Militarism: In the late 19th century, European countries began to build up their military strength. This was driven in part by nationalism, but also by a fear of war. The arms race and military build-up created a climate of fear and suspicion, and made it more difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully.
- Secret alliances: Secret alliances were a product of these two factors. As countries became more nationalistic and militaristic, they began to look for allies to support them in the event of war. Secret alliances were formed between different countries to ensure that they would have support in the event of conflict.