What circumstances led to the tension in the Balkan Peninsula after 1871? OR What circumstances led to the outbreak of the First World War?
- The most serious source of nationalist tension in Europe after 1871 was the area called the Balkans. The Balkans was a region comprising Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro whose inhabitants were broadly known as the Slavs.
- 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.
- Due to modernisation and internal reforms, these nations became strengthened and one by one, they broke away and declared independence.
- As the different Slavic nationalities struggled to define their identity and independence, the Balkans area became an area of intense conflict. The Balkan nations were fiercely jealous of each other and each hoped to gain more territory at the expense of the other. Thus, the Balkans became the scene of a big power rivalry.
- During this period, there was intense rivalry among the European powers over trade and colonies as well as, naval and military might.
- Each of the powers – Russia, Germany, England and Austro-Hungary, was keen on extending its own control over the area.
- This led to a series of wars in the region and eventually, the First World War.