2. Arms race: Alliances triggered an arms race as countries within each alliance sought to match or surpass the military strength of their rivals. This escalation of military capabilities further fueled tensions and increased the risk of war.
3. Limited diplomatic options: Alliances often restricted the diplomatic flexibility of their member states. Countries were less inclined to compromise or negotiate with adversaries due to the obligations and commitments they had to their allies. This inflexibility made it harder to resolve international disputes peacefully.
4. Chain reaction of conflicts: Alliances created a web of interconnected relationships where conflicts in one region could quickly spread to other areas, drawing in additional alliance members. The interlocking nature of alliances meant that even minor disputes had the potential to escalate into broader wars.
5. Lack of collective security: While alliances provided a sense of security to their members, they also fostered an environment where each bloc sought to protect its own interests at the expense of others. This undermined the concept of collective security, making it harder to build a peaceful and cooperative international system.
6. Great Power rivalries: The formation of alliances often reflected and intensified rivalries between major European powers. These rivalries, driven by territorial ambitions, economic competition, and ideological differences, fueled tensions and increased the risk of conflict.
