(i) A large part of Balkans was under the control of the Ottoman Empire.
(ii) Ideas of nationalism in the Balkans with the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire made this region very explosive.
(iii) The rebellion nationalities in the Balkan thought of their struggles as attempts to win back their long lasting independence.
In this painting French artist visualises his dream of a world made up of democratic and social Republics, as he called them. It shows people of Europe and America-men and women of all ages and social classes-marching in a long train and offering homage to the statue of liberty. On the earth, in the foreground of the image lie the shattered remains of the symbols of absolutist institutions.