During the age of imperialism, European countries competed to gain new territories to acquire markets and resources to gain wealth and influence. The more territories one country control the more powerful their influence grew in world politics and created conflict as some countries saw others as a threat. When the war ended, many countries were devastated as lives were lost and the economy suffered. This was especially true to those on the losing. After many demands were placed on them, they grew angry and as a result this laid the seeds for the Second World War.