Schlieffen Plan

Definition

The Schlieffen Plan was a military strategy developed by Germany before World War I that aimed to quickly defeat France and then turn to fight Russia. This plan was based on the assumption that Russia would take longer to mobilize its forces due to its vast size and infrastructure issues. The Schlieffen Plan was significant because it illustrated Germany's strategy of a two-front war and highlighted the tensions of military alliances and the arms race leading up to the conflict.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Schlieffen Plan was created by General Alfred von Schlieffen in 1905 as a response to the possibility of facing both France and Russia simultaneously in a war.
2. The plan called for a rapid invasion of France through Belgium, anticipating that defeating France quickly would prevent a prolonged two-front war.
3. The German military underestimated Russian mobilization, which turned out to be quicker than expected, causing complications for the execution of the plan.
4. The violation of Belgian neutrality during the implementation of the Schlieffen Plan drew Britain into the war due to pre-existing treaties defending Belgium.
5. The failure of the Schlieffen Plan in 1914 led to a protracted stalemate on the Western Front, significantly impacting the course of World War I.

Review Questions

• How did the Schlieffen Plan reflect Germany's concerns about fighting on multiple fronts?
  • The Schlieffen Plan was designed to address Germany's fear of a two-front war against France and Russia. By quickly defeating France before turning to Russia, Germany aimed to avoid being caught in a prolonged conflict with both powers simultaneously. This strategy highlighted Germany's reliance on speed and surprise, as well as its calculations regarding enemy mobilization times.
• What role did the violation of Belgian neutrality play in the outcomes associated with the Schlieffen Plan?
  • The violation of Belgian neutrality was a crucial factor that altered the dynamics of World War I after the Schlieffen Plan was put into action. When Germany invaded Belgium, it provoked outrage in Britain, which had treaties guaranteeing Belgium's neutrality. This led Britain to enter the war against Germany, significantly impacting the balance of power and complicating Germany's military objectives as they now faced an additional strong opponent.
• Evaluate how the failure of the Schlieffen Plan influenced both the Western Front and overall strategies during World War I.
  • The failure of the Schlieffen Plan had profound effects on World War I, particularly on the Western Front. Instead of achieving a quick victory, Germany found itself locked in a brutal stalemate characterized by trench warfare. This unexpected situation forced both sides to adapt their strategies, leading to prolonged conflicts, immense casualties, and a shift towards total war, as nations mobilized all available resources to support their military efforts.

Related terms

Two-Front War: A situation where a country is engaged in conflicts on two separate fronts, often requiring divided military resources and strategy.

Entente Cordiale: An agreement between France and Britain that marked the end of centuries of intermittent conflict and laid the groundwork for their military cooperation against Germany.

Mobilization: The process of assembling troops and supplies for war, which was a critical factor in the timing and execution of military strategies like the Schlieffen Plan.