How imperialism gave rise to imperialist rivalries?

a. Imperialist Rivalries:

The Industrial Revolution spread across most of Europe by 190C.

This resulted in ever increasing demand for raw-materials for the factories. Again, increased demand for raw- material would indicate increase in the production finished goods.

As Industrial Revolution had spread all over Europe the European markets were saturated with their own products. Hence new markets were needed outside Europe for the sale of the factory products.

Thus in the 19th century the European countries became more and more interested in overseas expansion.

As all the European Powers wanted access to foreign markets a competition and rivalry among the powers was inevitable.

In view of what has been said above it may be concluded that imperialist expansionism inevitably led to imperialist rivalries. It was this rivalry among powers that was a potent cause of the World War I.

b. Consequences:

Imperialist expansionism did not necessarily involved countries into armed conflict.

Instances are not rare to show that the European countries settled mutual problems peacefully and across the table. Berlin Congress of 1884-1885 is an instance in point.

However, between 1885 and 1911 different countries of Europe got entangled in mutual rivalries, the only Asian Power in the fray was Japan.

As a consequence of the imperialist rivalry a time came when the European powers had to go in for an alliance system. In fact, the European Powers became scared of military attack from one another.

Thus each of them felt that its safety and security depended upon gaining strength by aligning with other power or powers. Climax of this was reached by the beginning of the 20th century when Europe became divided into two armed camps. On one side there was the combination of powers called Triple Alliance and on the other side was the Triple Entente.