How was the Schlieffen Plan intended to work? Flashcards
Why was the war not over by December 1914?
How was Germany positioned geographically?
Was in between 2 enemies: France & Russia
What would happen if France & Russia who were allies fought with G at the same time?
Germany would lose
When was the Schlieffen Plan put to action?
4 Aug 1914
What were the main aims of the plan?
- ensure a QUICK & DECISIVE victory for G
= a 42 day victory - to AVOID FIGHTING 2 FRONTS AT THE SAME TIME !!
- try to TAKE OVER the cap of F: PARIS
–> hoping the F would then surrender
What was the original plan? (3 steps)
1) G makes F think that they were going to invade by passing through the French Fortress Towns
–> most F armies waiting for the G there
2) But instead pass by Holland –> Belgium –> Luxembourg
3) + send other troops towards the east
What was the most important thing in the Sch. Plan?
the Sch. plan was all abt being FAST / QUICK & being effective
= ALL ABT SPEED !!!
Abt the countries: France
- a rather WEAK military
–> thought to take 6 weeks to get defeated
Abt the countries: Russia
- they were STRONG but SLOW !! (massive country)
= TOOK TIME TO MOBILISE (estimated 6 weeks)
Abt the countries: Britain
- STRONG military = esp its NAVY
- they promised to protect BELGIUM
Who were the important ppl in the Sch. plan?
- Alfred Von Schlieffen
- General Helmuth Von Moltke
Abt the countries: Belgium
- a NEUTRAL country
- SMALL army
Imp ppl: Alfred Von Schlieffen
- person who DESIGNED the plan (1905)
- died before the plan started (1913)
Imp ppl: General Helmuth Von Moltke
- person IN CHARGE of the plan (1914)
- made some MODIFICATIONS
–> could be one of the reasons why the plan didn’t work
What were Moltke’s modifications? (3)
- REDUCED army in the West (from 85% to 70% !!!!)
- change the route & decide to take a more direct route towards Belgium ( ❌ pass through Holland)
- decided to NOT encircle Paris
