The Schlieffen Plan and Stalemate

Question 1

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Answer 1

Germany to defeat France in the west in 6 weeks then turn east to face Russia before Russia mobilised her troops rather than fighting a war on two fronts

Question 2

What was the aim of the Schlieffen plan

Answer 2

The aim was to defeat France quickly by invading it through neutral Belgium and moving on to capture Paris

Question 3

What happened during the Schlieffen plan?

Answer 3

Belgium - The Germans were not expecting any resistance from Belgium, but the Belgian army fought bravely and managed to delay the German advance.
Britain - declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Belgium and helped both the Belgian and French armies.
France - responded quickly to the German attack and with the help of the British, prevented the Germans from reaching Paris at the Battle Of Marne.

Question 4

Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?

Answer 4

Relied on rapid movement, resistance of the Belgians and the BEF prevented this.
Russia mobilised its troops quicker than expected. Within 10 days the Russians had invaded Germany, which meant that the Germans had to switch troops away from western Europe to hold up the Russian invasion.
Both sides now had to secure the land that they held. Trenches were dug and machine-gun posts erected. This led to a stalemate in the war with little/no movement on both sides.

Question 5

Stalemate

Answer 5

exists when war reaches a situation in which no progress can be made or no advance is possible for either side.