Question

Why did balkans become the scene of big power rivalry?

Answer 1

Answer:

The main source of nationalist tensions in Europe after 1871 was the Balkan regions. This process is also known as Slav Nationalism.

One of the main reasons for the tensions to emerge in Balkans was because the people were aspired to nationalism. During the 19th century, major portion of Balkans was under the Ottoman Empire. They tried to adopt modern techniques to make changes in the internal backwardness of the state but they did not succeed. The Ottoman Empire also could do nothing do make them unconflicting.

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

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

• Subjugation : Soon many foreign powers attempted to subjugate these newly independent states. The Balkan people tried to claim their long lost independence by using history to prove that they had been one independent. Hence, the rebellious nationalities struggled to win back their independence.

• Jealousy : There was a jealousy among the Balkan states and each hoped to expand their boundaries at the expense of others. During this period, the ideology of Europe was changed, the liberal feelings were narrowed down with limited ends. Intolerance followed among the groups and they were ready to wage a war.

• Power Struggle : Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Britain, the European powers were interested to expand their own imperialism. Trade, colonies, naval and military powers were some of the major factors which all the European powers were struggling for. They were all very keen on controlling the hold of the other powers and extending their own.

This led to a series of wars and finally the World War I (1914-1918).