Final answer:
Break the stalemate on the Western Front during World War I, each side introduced new weapons amidst a transition to a war of attrition, characterized by trench warfare and technological advancements that made traditional offensive strategies ineffective.
Step-by-step explanation:
To try to break the stalemate, where no side was gaining an advantage on the Western Front, each side introduced new weapons. This stalemate arose because typical infantry and cavalry charges were rendered ineffective against the modern defenses of the time, such as trenches, machine guns, and artillery.
The massive loss of life from both sides during futile charges across no-man's-land, such as the Battle of the Somme and the efforts at Verdun, exemplify the deadly nature of trench warfare. Eventually, innovations and tactics such as massive artillery barrages followed by infantry assaults were developed in an attempt to gain the upper hand.
The nature of warfare changed significantly during World War I, marking a shift from the mobile engagements of previous centuries to the static and grueling trench warfare that characterized the conflict. Advancements in military technology, including machine guns and artillery, led to the creation of extensive networks of trenches that both sides were unable to efficiently surmount, resulting in a war of attrition on the Western Front.