Final answer:
Boundary changes shown in historical maps depict significant reductions in the size and power of states and empires, working as evidence of historical events like the Bronze Age Collapse, World War II aftermath, decolonization, and changing political landscapes due to conquests and power shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boundary changes illustrated in the maps above demonstrate a large decline in size and power for various historical states and empires. For example, the Bronze Age Collapse led to the fall of several Bronze Age kingdoms and empires due to invasions, while the map of Europe's division after World War II shows the partitioning of the continent influenced by the military positions of the Soviet Union and Western Allies, particularly affecting the size and influence of countries like Germany.
Additionally, the process of decolonization and the formation of new nations from former European colonial empires resulted in significant boundary changes, often leading to conflicts such as those in Kashmir and issues of nation-state identity in places like Iraq, Sudan, and Nigeria.
Maps like that of the Germanic Kingdoms in 526 CE and the contested Oregon territory during the period of joint occupation by the United States and Great Britain further illustrate the shifting political landscapes throughout history. These changes reflect conquests, power shifts, and colonial influences that have reshaped global political boundaries over time.