Final answer:
A protracted struggle over land implies an extended conflict with wide-ranging consequences such as economic strain, political turmoil, and social upheaval.
Step-by-step explanation:
A protracted struggle over land between two countries often leads to extensive consequences, far beyond the initial causes of the conflict. The term 'protracted' implies that the struggle was extended over a significant period, which can result in various outcomes such as economic strain, loss of life, political upheaval, and long-term social disruption. An example of such a situation is the protracted struggle during the Cold War, where ideological battles between the United States and the Soviet Union were marked by proxy wars that had lasting impacts on the nations involved and their populations.
Additionally, historical conflicts such as the ones between the Israeli and neighboring Arab nations after the British mandate ended resulted not only in military engagement but also in a long-standing refugee situation and diplomatic controversies that have persisted for decades. Similarly, territorial disputes like those in early American history, between British colonists and French Acadians, highlight how protracted conflicts over land can shape the course of a region's development.
Thus, a statement completing the given sentence could reflect one of these numerous consequences, for instance: "A protracted struggle over land between the two countries resulted in a drawn-out, costly conflict that exhausted resources and deepened divisions, ultimately leading to significant geopolitical changes and affecting generations to come."