During this time, the European powers conflicted on trade, colonies, naval and military. Russia, Germany, England, Austro-Hungary wanted to establish their power in Balkan. All these were the examples that made Balkan issues as the major factor responsible for the First World War.

The Balkan Issue and its Role in the First World War

The Balkan issue played a significant role in the outbreak of the First World War. This region, located in southeastern Europe, was characterized by complex and volatile political dynamics, territorial disputes, and ethnic tensions. The Balkans became a powder keg that ultimately ignited the conflict due to a series of events and rivalries.

1. Historical Background:
The Balkan region had a long history of conflicts and rivalries between various ethnic and national groups. The Ottoman Empire had ruled over the Balkans for centuries, but its decline in the late 19th century created a power vacuum that led to nationalist movements and aspirations for independence.

2. Nationalist Movements:
Nationalist movements emerged within the Balkan countries, such as Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece, seeking to liberate themselves from Ottoman rule and establish independent states. These movements fueled ethnic tensions and territorial ambitions, as different groups sought to expand their territories and influence.

3. Balkan Wars:
The Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 further exacerbated existing tensions. During these conflicts, the Balkan states formed alliances and fought against the declining Ottoman Empire, resulting in territorial gains. However, the peace settlement after the Balkan Wars left many unresolved disputes and created a sense of unfinished business.

4. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand:
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia (part of the Balkans) in June 1914, triggered a diplomatic crisis. Austria-Hungary, seeking retribution, issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia partially rejected. This event and the subsequent escalation of tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia became the immediate cause of the First World War.

5. Alliance System:
The alliance system in Europe further complicated the Balkan issue. Russia, a Slavic nation, supported Serbia, while Germany backed Austria-Hungary. These alliances dragged other major powers, such as France and Britain, into the conflict, turning it into a global war.

6. Impact on the War:
The Balkan issue influenced the war's course by intensifying the conflict and widening the scope of the fighting. The Balkans became a battleground where major powers clashed and fought proxy wars. The unresolved territorial disputes and ethnic conflicts in the region added fuel to the fire, prolonging the war and its devastating consequences.

In conclusion, the Balkan issue was a major factor responsible for the outbreak of the First World War. The combination of historical rivalries, nationalist aspirations, the Balkan Wars, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and the alliance system all contributed to the escalation of tensions and the eventual global conflict. The Balkans' complex political landscape and unresolved disputes turned this region into a focal point of the war and highlighted the importance of addressing regional conflicts to maintain global peace.