<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> 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>
what region was referred to as the powderkeg of europe
what region was referred to as the powderkeg of europe
the Balkans
the Balkans