Yes, many were looking 'for their place in the sun', but they were willing to do it in the more 'peaceful' (in their minds) manner of extending their influence in political and monetary ways...much as they still do today.
But the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Wilhelm II close friend so angered the Kaiser that he pushed Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia.
In the Kaiser's personal memoirs he states that he didn't really want Germany itself involved in all out war, but his military leaders (Moltke and Falkenhayn) believed war between the major powers was inevitable and the sooner the better for the Germans.
Unfortunately, thought the Kaiser didn't want war his generals were more powerful than he realized and they refused to stop it.
And they did believe that Germany would prevail and extend their power (along with their allies) throughout the world.
Take it for what you will...but Germany was far more willing than, say England, France or America to extend their will through the use of force as opposed to political will.
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