This is the 16711th most frequent Russian word.
складывались
"Складывались" means "were forming" or "were shaping."
The word 'складывались' here is used to indicate the progressive development or evolution of a relationship.
Отношения между друзьями складывались постепенно.
The relationships among friends developed gradually.
In this context, 'складывались' implies the manner in which events came together or were shaped.
События того времени складывались не в силу случайности.
The events of that time were not a result of coincidence.
Here, 'складывались' describes the gathering or arrangement of items into a whole.