Question

Why did nationalist tensions emerge in Balkans?

Answer 1

Hint: Balkan was the region of tension in the late 19th century. Nationalist groups became increasingly intolerant of each other and every state wanted more territory even at the expense of war. The situation got worse when Imperial powers started expanding their control over the Balkan region for their benefit.

Complete answer: Balkan was a region of different ethnic and geographical variation which includes Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro whose inhabitants were broadly known as the Slavs. A large area of Balkan region was under the control of the Ottoman Empire where people started demanding for independence which further disintegrated the Roman Empire and the ideas of romantic nationalism made the region more explosive. Rebellious nationalities of Balkans also struggled to win back their long-lost independence. Through history, they claimed that Balkan had once been independent but had subsequently been dominated by foreign powers. They all wanted more territory at the expense of the other.
Further, European powers, like England, Russia, Germany and Austro -Hungary wanted to control this area to trade and colonies as well as naval and military might. The rivalry among them escalated because they all wanted to extend or control the area which led to a series of wars in the Balkan region and finally the First World War.

Note: Balkan was a region of geographical variation which served important resources like Coal, Lead and Zinc. The first Balkan war broke out in 1912 in which the Ottoman Empire was defeated and the First World War exploded in 1914.