Final answer:
Gas warfare introduced a new, terrifying element to World War I, leading to psychological fear, chemical burns, and fatalities without significant changes in territorial control. It represented the evolution of combat into industrialized and impersonal forms, contributing to the concept of total war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gas warfare dramatically altered the nature of combat during World War I by introducing a new level of fear, tactics, and long-term suffering into trench warfare. It added another dimension to the battlefield that both soldiers and commanders had to contend with. The use of poison gases, such as chlorine, mustard gas, and phosgene, represented a shift towards chemical warfare. These gases caused horrifying injuries and deaths, and their psychological impact on troops was profound. The threat of an invisible, airborne killer forced the development of gas masks and changed battle strategies.
With the introduction of these gases, the art of warfare evolved from direct combat to an impersonal and industrialized form of fighting that could indiscriminately affect soldiers and civilians alike. The use of gas contributed to the perception of World War I as a total war, where all resources and technologies available were employed, leading to massive casualties and extensive destruction.
Despite its devastating effects, gas warfare did not lead to significant territorial gains. Large battles, such as those at Verdun and the Somme, saw millions of casualties with very little change on the front lines. The lack of decisive results from such weaponry highlighted the grim and attritional nature of the conflict.