Read the excerpt from a 1912 British government document. It is necessary for us to be prepared to meet a sudden attack at any time from this force; it will be impossible to secure the safety of the United Kingdom unless we on our part maintain in Home Waters a superiority of at least 25 percent in ships in a state of equal readiness. This means that we must keep four battle squadrons in full commission against the German three, and three of these squadrons should be composed of ships of the "Dreadnought" type.

The document portrays which factor that led to World

War I?

A. globalism

B. imperialism

C. militarism

D. nationalism