: The term originated from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century and was cemented by the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
: Historically, the term also refers to a strategy used by larger powers to weaken a rival by encouraging its internal division. Historical & Contemporary Examples balkanize
To is to divide a larger region or country into smaller, mutually hostile states or groups. This process is often driven by conflicting ethnic, religious, or political interests. Key Characteristics : The term originated from the collapse of
: It is a popular trope in alternate history , often depicting a fragmented "Divided States of America". Balkanize Me - TV Tropes This process is often driven by conflicting ethnic,
: The primary feature is the breaking apart of a unified political entity into multiple independent units.
: Division usually occurs along pre-existing cultural, linguistic, or ethnic boundaries where local groups seek self-determination.