Pan-Slavism, a movement which came into prominence in the mid-19th century, emphasized the common heritage and unity of all the Slavic peoples. The main focus was in the Balkans where the South Slavs had been ruled for centuries by other empires: the Byzantine Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Venice. The Russian Empire used Pan-Slavism as a political tool; as did the Soviet Union, which gained political-military influence and control over most Slavic-majority nations between 1945 and 1948 and retained a hegemonic role until the period 1989–1991. COUNT 5
QSN1 What movement came into prominence in the mid-19th century that emphasized the common heritage and unity of all the Slavic peoples? ANS1 Pan-Slavism QSN2 Where was the main focus of Pan-Slavism? ANS2 the Byzantine Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Venice QSN3 Who used Pan-Slavism as a political tool? ANS3 The Russian Empire QSN4 When did the Soviet Union gain political-military influence and control over most Slavic-majority nations? ANS4 between 1945 and 1948 QSN5 How long did the Soviet Union retain a hegemonic role? ANS5 until the period 1989–1991