Schlieffen Plan

1. SchlieffenPlan • When the war broke out in 1914 the Germans had already developed a plan of attack: THE SHLIEFFEN PLAN General Alfred Von Schlieffen

4. Schlieffen Plan • Schlieffen Plan called for the majority of German forces to go through neutral Belgium and attack France from the back by circling down on Paris form the north • The general suspected the French troops would attack the Franco-Germany border, in order to reclaim lost provinces, Alsace and Lorraine. According to the plan, when this happens Germany will not defend their territory but instead will retreat, drawing the French forces deeper into Germany and away from Paris • Germany thought Russia would take several months to mobilize their forces. Russia was not an immediate threat. • Germany would attack Russia after they capture France

5. Schlieffen Plan • The plan hinged on a quick German victory, with no Belgian resistance, the French attacking the border, and Russia’s slow organization

6. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: BELGIUM • The Belgians refused Germany’s request and began to defend their territory • This slowed the German advance and disrupted the plan

8. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: FRANCE • The French did attack along the border and the German forces retreated, drawing the French forces away form Paris

10. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: RUSSIA • Russia mobilized faster than expected and began to invade eastern Germany • Germany had to send reinforcements to the Eastern Front • This weakened the main force so that, instead of taking Paris from the back, it was now required to advance in front of the city

11. SCHLIEFFEN PLAN FAILS • As Germany forces moved to the front of the city , it exposed its weakened flank to the French who quickly took advantage of the situation by attacking with all its remaining forces • This attack stopped the German advance • Both sides now dug trenches to solidify their advances and to provide shelter to protection for their troops