<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The powder keg of Europe or Balkan powder keg was the Balkans in the early part of the 20th century preceding World War I . There were a number of overlapping claims to territories and spheres of influence between the major European powers such as the Russian Empire, the Austro - Hungarian Empire, the German Empire and, to a lesser degree, the Ottoman Empire, the United Kingdom and Kingdom of Italy . </P> <P> In addition to the imperialistic ambitions and interests in this region, there was a growth in nationalism with the indigenous peoples of this region leading to the formation of the independent states of Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania . </P>

Why was the balkan region referred to as the powder keg of europe