Why did balkans become a centre …

Balkan region was a source of tension because of the following reasons:

(1) It was a region of geographical, ethnic variation comprising Romania, Bulgaria, etc:and its inhabitants were broadly known as Slavs.

(2) Large part of Balkans was under the Ottoman Empire and the disintegration of which created an explosive situation. One by one its European subject nationalities broke away from its control and declared independence.

(3) Balkan peoples based their claims for independence or political rights on nationality and used history to prove that they were independent but subsequently subjugated.

(4) The Balkan states were fiercely jealous of each other & hoped to gain territory.

(5) Matters complicated because of intense rivalry among European powers over Trade & colonies as well as naval and military might. This led to a series of wars in the region and finally the first world war.