Final answer:
Less lethal munitions were created to minimize the high human and financial costs of war by providing non-lethal options for conflict resolution amid the development of increasingly powerful and destructive weapons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Less lethal munitions were developed as a response to the increasing destructive power of weaponry and the high human and financial costs associated with modern warfare, recognized during conflicts such as the First World War and the Second World War. Technological advancements had led to military tactics with weaponry that was far more lethal than anything created before, such as machine guns and artillery shells, which could kill multiple individuals simultaneously. The historical context shows a progression in arms technology from the inefficient hand-held guns of the early periods to the devastating global impact possible by the mid-20th century, necessitating alternatives that would be less lethal in order to minimize unnecessary loss of life and provide options for non-lethal conflict resolution.