Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

The Balkans was a region of ethnic and geographical diversity comprising modern-day Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and others, largely under the Ottoman Empire. The spread of romantic nationalism and the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire made it explosive. Balkan peoples used history to claim lost independence, leading to fierce rivalry among Slavic nationalities. Additionally, major European powers — Russia, Germany, England, and Austro-Hungary — competed for control over the region, turning local nationalist conflicts into broader power struggles that eventually triggered the First World War.

Source: Chapter 1 – Nationalism in Europe, Section 6: Nationalism and Imperialism

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• Examiners expect three distinct factors for 3 marks: (1) ethnic diversity + Ottoman decline, (2) romantic nationalism inspiring independence claims, (3) big power rivalry/imperialism in the Balkans.
• Name at least some Balkan states and major powers to show textbook accuracy.
• Avoid writing a long essay — stick to 3 crisp points within the word limit.
• The phrase "disintegration of the Ottoman Empire" is directly from the textbook and should be used.