The Schlieffen Plan Flashcards
what was the original plan
because Germany couldn’t fight on 2 fronts Russia and French, it was believed that France was quicker to defeat so they would attack via Belgium before Russia
the plan
it was based on speed and surprise to knock France out of WW1 to avoid fight war on two fronts - western and eastern
why did they go through Belgium
they wanted to avoid heavy France defences and believed it would take Russia at-least 6 weeks to mobilise
why did it fail
modifications to original 1906 plan, sent troops early than planned, less tropes sent, assumed that Belgium was neutral and wouldnt resist and Germany wouldnt go through Holland
Belgium influence
Belgium was in an alliance with France and assisted defending France and Belgiums border
how countries traveled
Russia mobilised in 3 weeks and took trains, French used taxis to transport additional troops to Marne and Germans marched on foot
