In the years leading up to World War I, European countries like Great Britain and France were very interested in

They were interested in colonizing land to expand and conquer. This did leet to many wars like the French and Indian war and the American Revolution but that is what they wanted

Their colonies (countries that they owned). There were lots of wars with people trying to get free (there was a war in Ireland every few years until just after WW1, for example). They were also interested in weapons. Loads of things.