Why were the Balkans called the “powder keg” of Europe?

The Balkans, not a country specifically, but an area in southeastern Europe, have been the site of innumerable wars. Since the start of the 20th century this region was in a state of continuous upheaval starting with the First and Second Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 respectively. In 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian. His assassination sparked the beginning of World War I.





Because of this continual state of upheaval and the cultural, religious and ethnic mix, peace does not seem to be on the horizon for the Balkans.Why were the Balkans called the “powder keg” of Europe?
Despite what was written on here. The so-called religious animosities going back ';a thousand years'; is utter nonsense and was used as an excuse to allow the ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990's to continue unabated.


The reason the Balkans were the ';powderkeg'; of Europe was and still is to a certain extent the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. At the time there were complex alliances among the great powers of the time and the instability of the nations within the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the interests of powers such as Britain,Germany, and Russia in maintaining an influence in the region


Otto Von Bismarck was rumored to have responded to the question of what would cause the the greatest war mankind has even seen as ';probably some fool thing in the Balkans';.


The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo provided the fuse to that powderkeg.Why were the Balkans called the “powder keg” of Europe?
Totally unstable governments, racial and religious animosities going back a thousand years or more, rival border claims, ethnic minorities hating everyone. Just about anything could set off a war, and thanks to a stupid extended series of treaties, most of the rest of Europe could get dragged in.
DUH


cuz they had a huge supply of powder.


Hence the name ';powder keg.';
Its still in Europe (but like other places in Europe) the muslims (esp anti-white ethnic groups) are trying to coalesce and enforce muslim rule on areas and states to the point where they can secede by force. If the UN can be defeated the muslims can be repelled by Europe. This is the last thing the UN and globalists want. I support Europe!