what was balkan nationalism

Full Answer

How did nationalism contribute to problems in the Balkans?

The highly volatile Balkan political situation because of nationalism and the persistence of power politics by Austria finally led to the assassination of archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian imperial throne, which became the immediate cause of WWI.

Why did the nationalist tension emerge in the Balkans?

Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans? (i) Many ethnic groups inhabited the Balkan territories. (ii) The Ottoman Empire dominated the entire region which was on the verge of its decline. (iii) At the same time, even the ethnic groups of the Slavic-Balkans could not live without being influenced by liberal and nationalist ideas.

Is Romania now the richest country in the Balkans?

Romania is certainly the richest country in South Eastern Europe, it is not in “Balkans” - a fake geographic term, by the way. It is the richest by ressources and potential. It is equally robbed by its own politicians, citizen and outside mafias manipulating them.

Which nation in the Balkans is Greece culturally closest to?

The nations that Greece feels closest to would by Cyprus and Italy though those are not Balkan ones. For the Balkans—if once considers western Turkey then Turkey would fit. Serbia if often cited because of historic fondness, and religious feelings.

How did nationalism in the Balkans contribute to the outbreak of WW1?

Beginning in the late 19th century, the social unrest in the Balkan States became the focal point of many European powers . The Balkan peninsula was that of great importance due to its territorial ...

Why did the Balkans become so alarmed?

This was due to a rapid growth of intense nationalism which made them a threat to larger countries. The major powers’ fears were appeased with the Treaty of London. The Balkan States felt cheated through the treaty which created a friction among the Balkan allies. The Bulgarians, who felt cheated the most, declared war on both Greece and Serbia. In a rage of enormous pride, the Bulgarians had sealed their doom and were defeated by Serbia, Greece, Turkey, and Rumania. The dismantling of Bulgaria led to significant problems in the months to come.

Why did the Serbs declare war on Bulgaria?

The Serbs became furious and proclaimed war because they felt threatened by this act . Surprisingly the Bulgarians proved to be a greater match for the Serbs and in the battle of Slivnitza, they were defeated. Britain agreed to the unification of Eastern Rumelia and Bulgaria and the Balkan States again gained more power through their nationalistic ideologies.

What was the Balkan League?

The Balkan League was formed in 1912 by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro. Their goal was the expulsion of the Turks from the Balkan peninsula. Due to the growing nationalism among these four countries, they sought power and prestige through the defeat of their old master. Turkey’s difficulties with the Turkish revolution (1908-1909) and the Turko-Italian War (1911 – 1912), gave the Balkans a chance for both retaliation and sovereignty. In October 1912, the Balkan League attacked the Turks and began what was to be known as the Balkan Wars (1912-13).

What countries controlled the Balkans?

The revolt spread like wild fire through the Balkan peninsula and with the aid of Russia, Turkey was defeated. Through this, the Balkan States: Serbia, Montenegro, and Rumania, gained increases in their land; thus, resulting in a stronger patriotic pride. Turkey, however, still controlled parts of the Balkans and this angered Balkan nationalism because they now felt capable of governing themselves.

Which countries did Britain agree to unify?

Britain agreed to the unification of Eastern Rumelia and Bulgaria and the Balkan States again gained more power through their nationalistic ideologies. Religious tensions in Crete added to the possibility of war with a revolt in 1897 against Turkey.

What did the Serbian Nationalists want?

Serbian nationalists were angered with Austria-Hungary’s control and wished to see Bosnia free. On June 24th , 1914, a young Serbian nationalist killed Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne. The fuse was lit and war was imminent.

What religions were in Transylvania before 1848?

In Transylvania before 1848, for example, there was growing dissatisfaction among Orthodox Romanians, who were excluded by the Austrian rulers from the three recognized nations ( Saxons, Szeklers, and Magyars [ Hungarians ]) and from the four officially sanctioned religions (Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist, and Uniate).

Who created the sense of national identity?

The creation and dissemination of a sense of national identity was usually the work of national apostles who pointed back to more glorious years. In Bulgaria, for example, the monk Paisiy of Khilendar chronicled the glories of the medieval tsars and saints.

How did nationalism in the Balkans contribute to the outbreak of WWI?

Beginning in the late 19th century, the social unrest in the Balkan States became the focal point of many European powers. The Balkan peninsula was that of great importance due to its territorial and economic significance;

What countries controlled the Balkans?

The revolt spread like wild fire through the Balkan peninsula and with the aid of Russia, Turkey was defeated. Through this, the Balkan States: Serbia, Montenegro, and Rumania, gained increases in their land; thus, resulting in a stronger patriotic pride. Turkey, however, still controlled parts of the Balkans and this angered Balkan nationalism because they now felt capable of governing themselves.

What was the goal of the Balkan League?

The Balkan League was formed in 1912 by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro. Their goal was the expulsion of the Turks from the Balkan peninsula.

Why did Turkey anger the Balkans?

Turkey, however, still controlled parts of the Balkans and this angered Balkan nationalism because they now felt capable of governing themselves. In 1885, the Bulgarian population of Eastern Rumelia revolted against Turkish rule and declared its union with Bulgaria .

What countries did the unification of other countries and strong patriotism fueled?

The unification of other countries and strong patriotism fueled the desires of the Slavs, Greeks, Montenegrins, Rumanians, and Bulgarians to gain independence and revenge for the occupation of their lands by the Turks.

Which countries did Britain agree to unify?

Britain agreed to the unification of Eastern Rumelia and Bulgaria and the Balkan States again gained more power through their nationalistic ideologies. Religious tensions in Crete added to the possibility of war with a revolt in 1897 against Turkey.

Which country was defeated in the Balkans?

The revolt spread like wild fire through the Balkan peninsula and with the aid of Russia, Turkey was defeated. Through this, the Balkan States: Serbia, Montenegro, and Rumania, gained increases in their land; thus, resulting in a stronger patriotic pride. Turkey, however, still controlled parts of the Balkans and this angered Balkan nationalism ...

How did World War 1 affect the Balkans?

The war had enormous repercussions for the Balkan peninsula. People across the area suffered serious economic dislocation, and the mass mobilization resulted in severe casualties, particularly in Serbia where over 1.5 million Serbs died, which was approx. ¼ of the total population and over half of the male population. In less-developed areas World War I was felt in different ways: requisitioning of draft animals, for example, caused severe problems in villages that were already suffering from the enlistment of young men, and many recently created trade connections were ruined.

What was the Persian influence in the Balkans?

Following the Ionian Revolt the Persian authority in the Balkans was restored by Mardonius in 492, which not only included the re-subjugation of Thrace, but also the full subordinate inclusion of Macedon into the Persian Empire. The Persian invasion led indirectly to Macedonia's rise in power and Persia had some common interests in the Balkans; with Persian aid, the Macedonians stood to gain much at the expense of some Balkan tribes such as the Paeonians and Greeks. All in all, the Macedonians were "willing and useful Persian allies." Macedonian soldiers fought against Athens and Sparta in Xerxes' army.

What kingdom controlled northern Albania?

By the end of the 3rd century BC, an Illyrian kingdom based in Scodra controlled parts of northern Albania, and littoral Montenegro. Under Queen Teuta, Illyrians attacked Roman merchant vessels plying the Adriatic Sea and gave Rome an excuse to invade the Balkans.

Where did the Thracians live?

The Thracians lived in Thrace and adjacent lands (now mainly Bulgaria, but also Romania, northeastern Greece, European Turkey, eastern Serbia and North Macedonia ), and the closely related Dacians lived in what is today Romania. These three major tribal groups spoke Paleo-Balkan languages, Indo-European languages.

Where is the Balkan peninsula located?

Balkan peninsula (as defined geographically, by the Danube-Sava-Kupa line) The Balkans and parts of this area are alternatively situated in Southeast, Southern, Eastern Europe and Central Europe.

Which Persians ruled the Balkans?

Parts of the Balkans and more northern areas were ruled by the Achaemenid Persians for some time, including Thrace, Paeonia, Macedon, and most Black Sea coastal regions of Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Russia.

Who restored the Persian Empire in the Balkans?

Following the Ionian Revolt the Persian authority in the Balkans was restored by Mardonius in 492, which not only included the re-subjugation of Thrace, but also the full subordinate inclusion of Macedon into the Persian Empire.

What was the Balkan War?

The first Balkan war was a war for the liberation of the Serbian people and Serbian regions from the Turks, primari ly the areas of Old Serbia and Macedonia. The Second Balkan War was a conflict between the former allies, that is, the war against Bulgaria, which was not satisfied with the division of territory after the First Balkan War.

When did Serbia start nationalism?

Many Serbs mark the beginning of Serbian nationalism to a long-forgotten Battle of Kosovo in 1389 between Serbia and the invading Ottoman Empire. Most scholars mark the early 19 th century, when Serbs began to rise against the waning Ottoman Empire, which they were part of, as the origin for Serb nationalism.

What did the Serbs do in the 19th century?

During this period of the 19 th century, activists defined Serbs as a group in the Balkans that shared a common language and dialect. They promoted the idea of Greater Serbia as a nation that would host all Serbians in the Balkans. Under the concept of Greater Serbia, all territory historically held by the Serbians would be united under Serbian rule and independent of outside powers and rulers.

What happened to Yugoslavia in the 1930s?

That direction was subverted, however, when the Axis powers invaded in 1941. Yugoslavia was dismembered, and the plans of the Paris Peace Conference made after World War I were erased.

What groups resisted the influence of Serbian nationalism in Yugoslavia?

Croat, Slovene, and Macedonian nationalist groups resisted the influence of Serbian nationalism in Yugoslavia. Various terrorist organizations arose in the first decades after Yugoslavia’s establishment. The rise of extremism from these nationalist groups triggered Serbian nationalism to inflame even more.

When did the Serbians establish a police state?

The Serbs established a police state over Kosovo beginning in 1989. An armed guerilla movement eventually developed made up of Kosovar Albanians fed up with the apartheid system enforced upon them. As the guerilla violence intensified beginning in 1998, the Serbians intensified violence against the ethnic Albanian civilians. More than 200,000 Albanians were displaced. A massive campaign of ethnic cleansing followed where the Serbs sought to push Albanians over the border into Macedonia and Albania.

When did NATO bomb Kosovo?

In the spring of 1999 , NATO launched high-altitude bombings on Serb positions in Kosovo. The bombing only inflamed the Serbian activity against the Albanians. The Serbs expelled around 800,000 Kosovar across the borders, killing ten thousand in the process.

Where did nationalism originate?

Ideas of nationalism began to develop in Europe long before they reached the Ottoman Empire. Some of the first effects nationalism had on the Ottomans had much to do with the Greek War of Independence. The war began as an uprising against the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

What was the impact of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans?

The 1877–78 Russo-Turkish War dealt a decisive blow to Ottoman power in the Balkan Peninsula, leaving the empire with only a precarious hold on Macedonia and the Albanian-populated lands. The Albanians' fear that the lands they inhabited would be partitioned among Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece fueled the rise of Albanian nationalism. The first postwar treaty, the abortive Treaty of San Stefano signed on March 3, 1878, assigned Albanian-populated lands to Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria. Austria-Hungary and the United Kingdom blocked the arrangement because it awarded Russia a predominant position in the Balkans and thereby upset the European balance of power. A peace conference to settle the dispute was held later in the year in Berlin .

What was the rise of nationalism in the Ottoman Empire?

Michael Hechter argues that the rise of nationalism in the Ottoman Empire was the result of a backlash against Ottoman attempts to institute more direct and central forms of rule over populations which had previously had greater autonomy.

What is the Arab nationalism?

Arab nationalism is a nationalist ideology that arose in the 20th century mainly as a reaction to Turkish nationalism. It is based on the premise that nations from Morocco to the Arabian peninsula are united by their common linguistic, cultural and historical heritage. Pan-Arabism is a related concept, which calls for the creation of a single Arab state, but not all Arab nationalists are also Pan-Arabists. In the 19th century in response to Western influences, a radical change took shape. Conflict erupted between Muslims and Christians in different parts of the empire in a challenge to that hierarchy. This marked the beginning of the tensions which have to a large extent inspired the nationalist and religious rhetoric in the empire's successor states throughout the 20th century.

What were the radical elements of the Young Turk movement in the early 20th century?

The radical elements of the Young Turk movement in the early 20th century had grown disillusioned with what they perceived to be the failures of 19th-century Ottoman reformers, who had not managed to stop the advance of European expansionism or the spread of nationalist movements in the Balkans.

What was the first nationalist movement in Europe?

Ideas of nationalism emerged in Europe in the 19th century at a time when most of the Balkans were still under Ottoman rule. The Christian peoples of the Ottoman Empire, starting with Serbs and Greeks, but later spreading to Montenegrins and Bulgarians, began to demand autonomy in a series of armed revolts beginning with the Serbian Revolution (1804–17) and the Greek War of Independence (1821–29), which established the Principality of Serbia and Hellenic Republic. The first revolt in the Ottoman Empire fought under a nationalist ideology was the Serbian Revolution. Later the Principality of Montenegro was established through the Montenegrin secularization and the Battle of Grahovac. The Principality of Bulgaria was established through the process of the Bulgarian National Revival, and the subsequent National awakening of Bulgaria, establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate, April Uprising of 1876 and the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) .

What was the official religion of the Ottoman Empire?

In the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic faith was the official religion, with members holding all rights, as opposed to non-Muslims, who were restricted. Non-Muslim ( dhimmi) ethno-religious legal groups were identified as different millets, meaning "nations".