The outcome of the Battle of Verdun in 1916 was a costly French victory during World War I. This protracted battle, which lasted nearly a year, was one of the longest and bloodiest in history, characterized by grueling trench warfare and high casualty rates. The French forces, determined to hold Verdun as a symbol of national pride, defended successfully against the German military's offensive, which aimed to bleed France dry. The battle resulted in an estimated 700,000 casualties combined for both sides, deeply impacting the morale and resources of the French army while also contributing to the stalemate that characterized much of World War I.