The spread of the ideas of romantic nationalism in the Balkans together with the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire made this region very explosive. 1. The Balkan states were fiercely jealous of each other and each of these hoped to gain more and more territory at the expense of the others. Matter was further complicated because the Balkans also became the scene of big power rivalry. 2. During this period, there was intense rivalry among the European powers over trade and colonies as well as naval and military might. As the problems in the Balkan region unfolded, it became an area of intense conflict. 3. Each power - Russia, Germany, England, Austro-Hungary - was keen on countering the hold of other powers over the Balkans, and extending its own control over the area. This resulted in a series of wars in the entire region, eventually leading to the First World War.