The major conflict characterized by trench warfare was World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918. Trench warfare emerged primarily on the Western Front, where opposing armies faced stalemate conditions, leading to the construction of elaborate trench systems. Soldiers spent extended periods in these trenches, exposed to harsh weather, disease, and enemy fire. The static nature of trench warfare resulted in horrific casualty rates and little territorial gain, exemplified by battles such as the Somme and Verdun. This brutal form of warfare highlighted the destructive capabilities of modern technology, ultimately influencing military strategies in subsequent conflicts.