<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>
which area of europe was known as the powder keg of europe prior to the outbreak of world war 1
which area of europe was known as the powder keg of europe prior to the outbreak of world war 1
the Balkans
the Balkans