Why did the tension in the Balkans lead to world war 1?

The tension in the Balkans contributed to the outbreak of World War I primarily due to the complex web of alliances and nationalism among the region's diverse ethnic groups. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in 1914 acted as a catalyst, escalating existing rivalries. Austria-Hungary's subsequent declaration of war on Serbia triggered a series of alliance obligations, drawing in major powers like Russia, Germany, and France, ultimately igniting a global conflict. This volatile mix of nationalism, imperial ambitions, and alliance politics made the Balkans a powder keg for war.