The Schlieffen Plan

• The aim of the ‘Schlieffen Plan’ was to defeat France as quickly as possible, thus taking it out of the war. Then German forces could concentrate on Russia. The plan required a giant 'hammer stroke' into northern France through Belgium.

What was supposed to happen…

The Schlieffen Plan was based on four assumptions:1. Russia would take at least six weeks to get its army ready for war.2. France would be easily defeated in six weeks.3. Belgium would not resist any German attack.4. Britain would remain neutral and would not care if Belgium was attacked.

What actually happened…• On 2 August 1914, the German army invaded Luxembourg and

Belgium, in accordance with the Schlieffen Plan.

• However, the Belgium army did retaliate and Britain did see invading Belgium as a direct threat to their ally France. As such, Britain declared war on Germany on the 4th August 1914 and immediately sent troops to assist Belgium and France.

• Russia mobilised in just 10 days and Germany was forced to withdraw troops from the Schlieffen Plan to defend her eastern border.

• Therefore France was not defeated in 6 weeks – years of trench warfare resulted instead.

References

Bedson, Cathy. Et al Humanities Alive 4, 2nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Milton, 2010.

Department of Employment Education and Training, Qld Government, The Schlieffen Plan 1914, ACARA Powerpoint, http://learningplace.eq.edu.au/cx/resources/items/5f4b9c47-c7fb-46c6-9b76-62408027c427/0/his_y09_ds3_ss_schlieffenplan.pptx

“The Schlieffen Plan” in SchoolHistory.co.uk, http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/gcselinks/wars/firstwwlinks/schlieffen_summary.html