Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The Balkans became a major area of nationalist conflict after 1871 due to the following reasons:

1. Disintegration of the Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire, which controlled a large part of the Balkans, was weakening. The subject Slavic nationalities broke away one by one, claiming independence based on nationality and history. This created intense rivalry among the Balkan states, each wanting to gain more territory at the expense of others.

1. Big Power Rivalry: The Balkans became the scene of competition among major European powers — Russia, Germany, England, and Austro-Hungary — each trying to extend its own control and counter the influence of others. This rivalry further fuelled conflict and eventually led to a series of wars in the region.

Source: Nationalism and Imperialism, Chapter 1

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• The examiner expects two clear, distinct reasons with brief elaboration — not just names or single-line statements.
• Key terms to use: Ottoman Empire's disintegration, Slavic nationalism, big power rivalry, territorial ambitions.
• Don't confuse this with causes of WWI directly — focus on why the Balkans specifically became a tension zone.
• Each reason should be 2–3 sentences to fill the 3-mark requirement appropriately.