Why were multi-ethnic empires threatened by liberalism and nationalism?

Is karma the same as destiny, in the sense that everything that happens to you is predetermined? do you believe that "what goes around comes around," and if so is this the same as karma? does everyone get what they deserve, in the end?

How did the beliefs of the roman catholics differ from the eastern orthodox form of christianity?

Word does jefferson use in opening of the second paragraph that means "obvious? "