Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?

Question

Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?

Answer

Nationalist tension emerged in the Balkans because the Balkan states were aspiring for nationalism.

The Balkans was a region comprising modern day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro and their inhabitants were called Slavs.

In 19th century, the major portion of the Balkans was under the Ottoman Empire.

The ideas of romantic nationalism developed in the Balkans. The rebellions nationalities in the Balkans thought that their struggle was the attempt to win back their long-lost independence.