By the beginning of the 20th century, many nations were experiencing a surge of nationalism and self-confidence in regards to their place within the international system, this was the case for the French and German nations. Both states had experienced prior years of warfare and tensions, this had resulted in French territories of Alsace-Lorraine being annexed by Germany, France also feared the dominant economic interests of Germany on the European continent following its industrial and economic boom in the late 19th century.