The major European powers saw the declining Ottoman Empire as an opportunity to expand their empires by acquiring territories in Southern Europe around 1914.

The decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries allowed European powers to vie for control over its territories, contributing to a rise in nationalism and setting the stage for the geopolitical strife in the Balkans that preceded World War I.

Explanation:

The major European powers viewed the retreat of the Ottoman Empire as an opportunistic moment to extend their own empires by acquiring territories in southern Europe around 1914. With the rise of nation-states like Germany and Italy, and the diminishing influence of old empires due to corruption, lack of technological development, and weak leadership, the Ottoman Empire faced several revolts by ethnic groups. During the 1800s, the Ottoman's control began to wane, with Greece achieving independence in 1829 and other Balkan territories like Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro following suit.

The European powers, observing the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, competed to claim lands formerly under Ottoman control, contributing to a surge in nationalism. The Balkan region, in particular, turned into a complex and volatile political environment. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire was a process that included revolts for independence, European intervention, and geopolitical rivalry, particularly in the years leading up to World War I.