.Why was Balkans after 1871 the …

• The Balkan region comprised modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece,Macedonia,Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro, and its inhabitants were broadly called Slavs.
• With a large area of Balkan region under the Ottoman Empire, the spread of the ideas of romantic nationalism in the Balkans together with the breaking up of the Ottoman Empire made the situation even more serious.
•  The Ottoman Empire had not been able to become strong even after reforms and modern methods after an effort of nearly 91.00 years. Gradually, most of the European subject nationalities broke away from the Ottoman Empire’s control to declare themselves independent.
•  The claim for independence and political rights by the Balkan people was based on nationality. They gave examples of history to prove that they had once been independent but had subsequently been subjugated by foreign powers.
•  Thus the rebellious nationalities in the Balkans thought of their struggles as attempts to win back their long lost independence.
•  Soon various Slavic nationalities were struggling to define their identity and independence making Balkans region one having intense conflict.
• The internal rivalries and jealousies made the Balkan states distrust and fear each other.
• As the Balkans had become site for big power fights, the situation became even more serious. The fights were among the European powers who fought for trade and colonies and for naval and military powers.
• Russia, Germany, England and Austria-Hungary wanted to gain control of the Balkan region causing many wars which culminated in the First World War.

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. (6) Spread of the ideas of romantic nationalism.