[In colonies], the mother-country had won a foothold in a foreign land, seeking a new outlet for what it had to sell, a new sphere for its shipping, more employment for its people, and more comfort and wealth for itself … … Having [no] foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war of the United States, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. To provide resting-places for them, where they can coal and repair, would be one of the first duties of a government proposing to itself the development of the power of the nation at sea…. … The question is eminently one in which the influence of the government should make itself felt, to build up for the nation a navy which, if not capable of reaching distant countries, shall at least be able to keep clear the chief approaches to its own. The eyes of the country have for a quarter of a century been turned from the sea. … It may safely be said that it is essential to the welfare of the whole country that the conditions of trade and commerce should remain, as far as possible, unaffected by an external war. In order to do this, the enemy must be kept not only out of our ports, but far away from our coasts. - Alfred T. Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1890
Which of the following best describes 19th century Europe which helped spur arguments in America such as that of Mahan?
The major powers were dramatically expanding their empires around the world.
The limited land space of the European countries was causing overcrowding in America.
The major European countries were rapidly developing new technologies, due to easier access to natural resources of other countries.
The European countries were increasingly forming European alliances.