The purpose of this study is to explain how nationalism came into being as a modern phenomenon and how it took shape in Southeast Europe where numerous ethnic communities coming from different cultural backgrounds coexisted throughout the centuries. Nationalism is a crucial doctrine that changed and shaped our world remarkably in recent centuries, and currently it is still the most plausible option for state legitimacy. However, nationalism is also prone to cause conflicts and wars between different nations/states in the Balkans as elsewhere. In order to understand the problematic sides of nationalism, it is of necessity to analyze and shed light on the questions from interdisciplinary perspectives. According to the results of this study, the objective and comprehensible understanding of historical events are of importance to elucidate the origins of nationalism in Southeast Europe. In addition to the historical aspects, this work also aimed to show how the nation-states produce excessive national sentiments among their citizens through schools and media channels. Particularly history education proved effective in creating the negative images of others in our minds that paved the way for ethnic strife and wars.
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