4 reasons that Europe was on the brink of war in the early 1900s are that patriotic French citizens still longed for revenge against Germany and recovery of the �lost provinces,� in 1912 several Balkan states attacked Turkey, imperialism divided nations and competition for colonies, and expansion of armies and navies. I think that song of these came conditions cause international tension today like the expansion of armies and navies. The most powerful countries in the world are creating new explosives and biological weapons because if other countries have them and want to use them then they should have them too.