What was the crisis that developed in Europe in the years preceding the World War I

Towards the close of the 19th century the European countries became more and more interested and active in overseas expansion.

The nations of Europe were very much concerned with their own ambitions and their own interests. In Africa, the two dominant colonial powers were France and Great Britain.

The real threat to the influence of these two powers came from Germany.

Further, British interests clashed with those of France at Fashoda. Again, German jealousy of French aims in Morocco remained to cause a series of international crises in the years immediately preceding 1914.

Also Italy was anxious to demonstrate its nationhood and cast covetous eyes on Tripoli.

Thus international rivalry and self-interest gave rise to series of crises leading to international complications eventually leading to the World War I.