Question

explain the role of nationalism and imperialism with reference to Balkan tension

Answer 1

Answer:

After 1871 nationalist tension mounted

in Europe in the area called Balkan's. The

Balkans was a region of geographical

and ethnic variations. A large part of

Balkans was under the contral of the

ottoman Empire. .. The anti-imperial

movements developed nationalism and

formed independent nationstates.

Answer 2

Answer:

The main causes of nationalist tension in Balkans were:

• Romanticism : One of the major factors for nationalist tensions in Europe was the spread of Romanticism. The reason was that people of this states were aspired of nationalism. They adopted many techniques to improve their backwardness of the state. But they failed in doing so. The Ottoman Empire also was not able to do anything to retain them longer.

• Beginning of Nationalism : By the last quarter of the nineteenth century nationalist groups became increasingly intolerant of each other and ever ready to go to war. One such source tension was the Balkans.

• Ethnic Variations : The Balkans was a region of geographical and ethnic variation comprising modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro whose inhabitants were broadly known as the Slavs.

• Disintegration from the Ottoman Empire : A large part of the Balkans was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. The spread of the ideas of romantic nationalism in the Balkans together with the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire made this region very explosive.

• Subjugation : After seperation from the Ottoman Empire, these regions declared their independence. Soon many other foreign powers began occupying these states. The Balkan peoples based their claims for independence or political rights on nationality and used history to prove that they had once been independent but had subsequently been subjugated by foreign powers. This led to spread of rebellion thoughts and activities to achieve their long lost independence.

• Jealousy : The Balkan states were fiercely jealous of each other and each hoped to gain more territory at the expense of the others. They wanted ro occupy more and more resources at the expense of each other. This made this region very conflicting. These states were ready to wage wars.

• Power Struggle : Matters were further complicated because the Balkans also became the scene of big power rivalry. Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Britain - Big European powers fighting with each other to gain control over these states. Trade, naval, military and economic were the main factors for which they were struggling for. They were very keen on expanding their own control and restricting others.

This led to a series of wars and finally World War I.