Why was the balkan region called the powder keg of Europe?

Answer 1

Prior to (and in fact since) World War I, the Balkans region of Europe was called its "Powder Keg" because of the many different competing nationalities and ethnic groups and allegiances contained in it. With major European powers only indirectly involved in the intrigues and hostilities of the Balkans, it came to be said that a match lit in that region could set fire to the "powder" and thus cause an explosion that would impact the entire continent -- and even beyond.

Answer 2

Yes. Powder Keg is a metaphorical term sometimes used when referring to countries or geographical regions where political, socio-economic and historical circumstances have made the area prone to outbursts of wars or other conflicts. The analogy is drawn from a perception that certain territories may seem peaceful and dormant until a minor event triggers a large outburst of violence.

Answer 3

The Balkan region was referred to as the powder keg of Europe because two major, conflicting powers (Austro-Hungary and Russia) who had military agreements with the other major European powers, were heavily involved in the conflicts of the region. Austria administered power over Bosnia, which Serbian nationalists claimed as a part of their country. Russia had promised to protect Serbia in event of war, and when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, Austria declared war. This led to a chain reaction of war declarations that began World War 1, making the Balkans the Powder Keg of Europe.

Answer 4

Many different ethnic groups in the Balkans, such as the Serbs, the Croatians, etc., were not happy to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to WW I (just as they were also not happy to be part of Yugoslavia, in the Cold War era) and they had militant separatist movements. This is what resulted in the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the start of WW I; his assassin was a Serbian separatist.

Answer 5

because it was like the powder that blew and started the world war 1, when the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian.

Answer 6

Because they were the stupid people who came up with that name in the first plpace so they really arent called that because they made that up themselfs so........................ they suck

Answer 7

because of it's more than 400 years of ethnic and political conflict
The assasination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand set of the spark the began World War I

Answer 8

because of long history of nationalist uprisings and ethnic clashes, the Balkans was known as the powder keg of Europe

Answer 9

lolz. get a life people.