Explain how imperialism contributed to the outbreak of world war 1

Imperialism and imperial rivalry provided both a cause and context for World War I. Imperialism is a system where a powerful nation controls and exploits one or more colonies. In most cases the imperial nation, euphemistically referred to as the ‘mother country’, establishes control over its colonies by coercion - for example, through infiltration and annexation, political pressure, war and military conquest. Once conquered, this territory is claimed as a colony. Colonies are governed and administered by either the imperial nation, a puppet government or local collaborators. A military presence is often stationed in the colony, to maintain order, to suppress dissent and uprisings, and to deter imperial rivals. Colonies may have military or geopolitical advantages but their main purpose is economic: they exist chiefly to profit and enrich the imperial power.