The late nineteenth century was an error military competition, particularly between the major European powers. The policy of building a stronger military was judged relative to neighbors creating a culture paranoid that heighten the search for alliances. It was fed by the cultural belief that war was good for nations. Germany, in particular, looked to expand their Navy. However, the naval race was never a real contest. The British always maintained naval superiority, but the British obsession with naval dominance was strong. Government rhetoric exaggerated military expansionism. A web of alliances developed in Europe between 1870 and 1914 effectively creating two camp bounds by commitments to maintain sovereignty or to intervene militarily.