Final answer:
The redrawing of the European map shaped national identities and contributed to the creation of new rivalries and alliances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reshaping of the European map, particularly after significant treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles, led to shifts in traditional rivalries and the formation of new alliances. These territorial adjustments often reflected and influenced the political, social, and geographic tensions across Europe. As nation-states emerged out of an array of territories and kingdoms, central to the Holy Roman Empire, these entities were more often defined by ethnicity, language, customs, and religion, which sometimes deepened rivalries between neighboring states defined by differing identities.
Imperial rivalries, military buildups, and complex alliances contributed to a volatile diplomatic landscape, where a regional conflict, like the one arising in the Balkans, could trigger a widespread international war. The age of nationalism fostered competition among European powers, fueling colonization and territorial ambition in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These nationalistic desires and colonial expansions further strained relationships between European powers and contributed to the outbreak of World Wars.