The Schlieffen Plan

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

The Schlieffen Plan was a German war plan to avoid a war on two fronts by attacking France, travelling at high speed through Belgium. After defeating France, the German Army would then east turn and attack Russia.

When was the Schlieffen Plan created?

The plan was created in December 1905, though it was not employed until August 1914.

Who created the Schlieffen Plan?

The Schlieffen Plan was created by the most senior general in the German Army, Count Alfred von Schlieffen.

Why was the Schlieffen Plan created?

The plan was created in preparation for war due to growing rivalries at the time. Germany was particularly worried about being encircled by France and Russia.

Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?

The Schlieffen Plan failed for 6 key reasons:

• ❖ The Germans could not keep to the 6-week timetable for defeating France: the Belgian Army slowed the German advance at forts around Liege, while the BEF slowed it further at the Battle of Mons.
• ❖ The use of Plan 17, which was the French war plan to attack Germany's industrial centre, slowed the German advance by two weeks. However, the plan proved an overall failure for the French.
• ❖ Russian mobilisation came more quickly than expected and Russia invaded eastern Germany on 19th August. This caused Germany to send 100,000 troops to the east, weakening its attack against France.
• ❖ German supplies of food and ammunition could not keep up with the rapid advance, leaving soldiers tired, hungry and under-equipped.
• ❖ General von Kluck changed the plan. Instead of encircling Paris he decided to meet the French and British head on and aim to win a decisive victory at the Battle of the Marne, but was defeated.
• ❖ At the Battle of the Marne the Germans were forced back to the River Aisne where they began to dig trenches.

What were the consequences of the failure of the Schlieffen Plan?

The failure of the Schlieffen Plan had 2 important consequences:

• ❖ It meant the Germans would now have to fight a war on two fronts, reducing their chance of victory.
• ❖ The Germans dug trenches to defend their captured territory. This led to the establishment of the Western Front and stalemate there until the summer of 1918.