Final answer:
The conflict post-Ottoman Empire was due to boundaries that ignored religious and ethnic groups, causing tensions. This, along with the unequal distribution of resources and disregard for ecological conditions, contributed to the conflict. The Balkan Wars were a direct result of these issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change in boundaries after the fall of the Ottoman Empire led to conflict primarily because they ignored traditional religious and ethnic groups. When the European powers divided the empire's lands, they disregarded cultural, religious, and ethnic boundaries, which often resulted in combining opposing groups within the new borders. This inattention to the social landscape led to significant tensions, as historical rivals were forced into shared governance, and distinct cultural groups sought self-determination.
Another factor was the unequal distribution of resources that arose from colonial boundaries, leading to competition and conflict over these resources. Moreover, the shift in borders did not adequately consider the local ecological conditions, further exacerbating the struggle for scarce resources and contributing to longstanding hostilities.
The fall of the Ottoman Empire also heightened national ambitions and disputes, as seen in the Balkans, where the quest for territory and populations resulted in wars and ethnic cleansing. The Balkan Wars exemplify the tragic consequences of disregarding the complex mosaic of identities and alliances in favor of arbitrary borders.