Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?

Nationalist tensions erupted in the Balkans due to a combination of factors. The region’s diverse ethnic composition, with Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Albanians, and others, created competition for power. Centuries of imperial rule, first by the Ottomans and later the Austro-Hungarians, suppressed local identities, fueling resentment. The 19th-century rise of nationalist movements sparked desires for independence among various groups, notably the Serbs seeking liberation. Territorial disputes arising from overlapping ethnic populations and historic claims intensified conflicts. Additionally, religious differences among Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Muslims added complexity. Political instability and weak governance further fueled tensions. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, triggered World War I. This interplay of ethnic diversity, historical legacies, and nationalist aspirations in the Balkans is a crucial examination topic, shaping global events with far-reaching consequences.