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Explore the historical significance of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany's ambitious strategy for quick victory by defeating France before Russian mobilization. Uncover the German dilemma, the role of von Schlieffen, and the subsequent modifications by von Moltke. Understand the key elements and outcomes of this influential military plan from 1905, its execution in 1914, including German advances into Luxembourg and Belgium and British involvement. Learn how the plan evolved over time and ultimately led to a stalemate with the onset of trench warfare.
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The Schlieffen Plan Germany’s Plan for a Quick Victory
Treaty between France, Britain and Russia Germany was between them Worried about attacks The German Dilemma
German Army Chief of Staff in 1905 Saw the need for a plan to deal with enemies on two opposite borders Began to circulate his plan in December, 1905 Who was von Schlieffen?
A Quick Victory • Schlieffen believed that the key to victory was in a quick defeat of France • Destroy the French Army before the Russians could mobilize. • Schlieffen thought the Russians would need six weeks to put their army together • If the French were quickly defeated, the British and Russians would not get involved.
The attack would go through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg Avoid the French fortifications on the German-French border 90% of German forces attack France The Original Plan
Helmuth von Moltke Replaced Schlieffen as Chief of Staff in 1906 Made changes to plan Schlieffen’s Replacement
No invasion of Holland Invade through Flanders 34 divisions invade Belgium 8 divisions should be kept back in case of Russian attacks Von Moltke’s Plan
The German Onslaught • August 2, 1914 • Germans invade Luxembourg and Belgium • Belgian army stalls the Germans • Russia advances into East Prussia • The British Expeditionary force lands quickly into France and Belgium
The Result • The early stalemate meant there would be no quick victory for either side • Both sides began to build trenches.
