(A) France was trying to take over Germany
(B) Nations were building up their militaries prior to the war
(C) ** Countries were competing for foreign territories and influence
(D) Alliances were being broken
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -The expansion of European nations as empires (also known as imperialism) can be seen as a key cause of World War I, because as countries like Britain and France expanded their empires, it resulted in increased tensions among European countries.