How did Balkan region become source …

The Balkan was a region of ethnic variations comprising of many states and territories whose inhabitants were known as slaves. A large part of Balkan was under control of the Ottoman Empire while some other parts were under control of Russia and Austria causing a complex problem. The spread of idea of Romantic nationalism in the Balkans together with the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire made the region very explosive. The Balkan people based their claim for independence or political rights on nationality and desired to win back their long lost freedom. The Balkans also became the scene of big power rivalry over trade and colonies as well as naval and military might. Each power Russia, Germany, England and Austria -Hungary -was keen on countering the hold of other powers over the Balkans and extending its own control over the area. This lead to a series of wars in the region and finally the First World War.