Since 1500, an increasingly prominent position on the global stage had been assumed by Europe. The world's other peoples by 1900, were controlled by Europeans through their formal empires, informal influence, or the weight of their numbers. Thus the Europeans' self-confidence, pride, and sense of superiority was provided by its foundation. A long-standing feature of European political life was formed by the most obvious division among its competing states. Around 1870, Germany and Italy "joined their fragmented territories into two major new powers" (Strayer, 982). Therefore, historical rivalries among European countries were further sharpened. Germany's arrival on the international scene created a disruptive new element in European political life. This was especially true for Britain, France, and Russia.