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The Schlieffen Plan an attempt at a quick victory. What was the Schlieffen Plan?. The Schlieffen Plan was a strategic plan created by the German General, Alfred von Schlieffen, in 1907.
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What was the Schlieffen Plan? • The Schlieffen Plan was a strategic plan created by the German General, Alfred von Schlieffen, in 1907. • It was a plan that was to ensure that Germany would not have to fight a war on two different fronts (in two different areas).
Background • Schlieffen calculated that it would take Russia six (6) weeks to organize and mobilize its troops. • Thus, it was believed that France could be attacked first, and would be defeated very quickly. • REMEMBER: Russia had an alliance with France, and therefore it was expected that if Germany led an attack on France, Russia would soon join in. Germany, however, did not think that Russia would be able to get itself together in time before France fell to Germany, so Germany would not have to fight both the French and the Russians at the same time.
The Plan • Use 90% of Germany’s troops to attack France; the rest of Germany’s troops would be sent to defensive positions along the border with Russia. • Attack France from the North and invade through neutral Belgium, cutting off ties to Britain and encircling Paris from the north. • Once France was captured, Germany would move all its troops to the Eastern front to battle Russia.
The Result • Belgian army fought back, slowing Germany’s advance to France. • Russian army mobilized quickly and invaded Germany. • French army heard about the invading Germans, and were able to move north and cut off the German advance. • Britain guaranteed Belgium’s neutrality and declared war on Germany; British troops quickly reached France and Belgium. The Schlieffen Plan did not succeed. The German hopes of a swift and decisive victor were frustrated because of several reasons:
Impact on the Great War • Both sides dug trenches to solidify their advances and to provide shelter and protection for their troops. • Trenches were intended to be a temporary strategy, used to help each side get organized. • However, as barbed wire was spread (to prevent the movement of the enemy) and more trenches were built, the trenches became a permanent feature of World War One.
