How did industrialization and imperialism play a role in the onset of World War I?

Industrialization played a large role in the onset of World War I.  Nations could build larger ships faster through the development of cheap steel.  Nations could also mass-produce bullets and other weapons of war as never before, along with more powerful explosives.  Many of the poison gases used in World War I, such as chlorine, were industrial waste products from some other less lethal process.  Nations formed trade rivalries, and the nations of Europe were...

Industrialization played a large role in the onset of World War I.  Nations could build larger ships faster through the development of cheap steel.  Nations could also mass-produce bullets and other weapons of war as never before, along with more powerful explosives.  Many of the poison gases used in World War I, such as chlorine, were industrial waste products from some other less lethal process.  Nations formed trade rivalries, and the nations of Europe were worried about losing status to their adversaries.  Industrialization also led Europeans to constantly upgrade their rail networks; these rail networks could also be used in army mobilization schedules.  

Imperialism also played a role in the onset of World War I.  Britain and France nearly got into a skirmish in Africa over the Fashoda incident.  Kaiser Wilhelm II spoke in favor of the Boers, which drew him a sharp rebuke from his grandmother, Queen Victoria.  Russia had designs on Turkish land, especially Constantinople itself since this was the birthplace of the Orthodox Church.  Germany sought to gain more colonies, and it strengthened its navy.  This alarmed Britain, creating an arms race.  This heightened tensions and helped cause World War I.