Schlieffen Plan

Question 1

How long did the schliffen plan take to finalise?

Answer 1

9years

Question 2

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Answer 2

The main idea was…

If a war broke out, Germany would take out France first, (through Belgium+Luxembourg by sending 90% of their forces), then the British and the Russians.

Question 3

What was the Schlieffen Plan based on?

Answer 3

The belief it would take Russia 6-8 weeks to mobilise,
France would be attacked + defeated within 6 weeks,
The Germans would capture Paris + gain control of the French parts en route,
Belgium wouldn’t resist an attack + would be easily defeated. Britain would remain neutral.

Question 4

Why did the plan fail?

Answer 4

1. It only took Russia 10 days to mobilise
2. Britain had agreed a treaty in 1839 to protect Belgium if they were invaded.
   (Germanys assumptions were inaccurate and therefore the plan failed).