(A) ** A small war could quickly expand into a much larger war
(B) Europe was guaranteed not to fight a major war
(C) Countries didn’t feel the need to build up their armies
(D) Small countries were too afraid to start wars
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -Creating a defensive atmosphere and the reassurance that one country would be supported by their alliance if they were to engage in conflict. These reasons encouraged the fighting countries to seek conflict rather than peaceful resolution when tensions were at their highest.
Concept note-2: -How did alliances cause war to spread rapidly? Despite forming alliances to ensure peace, the agreements hastened war. Once war began, the alliance system caused more countries to get involved.
Concept note-3: -alliance, in international relations, a formal agreement between two or more states for mutual support in case of war.
Concept note-4: -Analyzing data on the war record of 126 major power alliances formed during the period 1816-1980, it is shown that the larger the alliance, the more wars each of its members is likely to be involved in.