In 1900, the British Empire covered a fifth of the land area of the earth. This led to conflict between the major countries of Europe. Great Britain was trying to conquer Africa from Cairo (in the north) to Cape Town (in South Africa). France was trying to conquer Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. A few years later, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany wanted colonies in Africa, too. This angered other major countries and increased the tensions that led to World War I. The desire to take over lands for one's own country is called