The nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans because of these reasons: (i) Geographically and ethically diverse region: The Balkans consisted of regions of modern day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania , Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro and their inhabitants were broadly known as Slaves was geographically and ethically diverse region compare to modern day. (ii) When the ottoman Empire collapsed, It initiated nationalism in the Balkans states. Soon the feeling of nationalism spread and the situation became very unstable. The ottoman Empire tried to control the situation by strengthening itself through modernization and internal reforms but fails to do it. (iii) Gradually, its European nations got separated and fought for independence and political rights. (iv) In the race to expand their territories and to impose their supremacy on each other, Slavic nationalities quickly got into severe clashes. As a result, the Balkan area became an area of intense conflict. (v) During this period there was intense rivalry among the European powers over trade and colonies as well as naval and military might (vi) These rivalries were very evident in the way the Balkan problem unfolded. Each power-Russia, Germany, England, Austria, Hungary was keen on countering the hold of other powers over the Balkans, and extending its own control over the area. This led to continued series of wars in the region and finally, the First World war broke out in 1914.