16.2.4

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

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Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

The Schlieffen Plan did not work as the German government had hoped.

French inaction

French inaction

  • France did not mobilise in July, meaning that Germany could not pretend to invade in defence.
  • 3 August 1914: Germany invaded Belgium to start the plan.
  • 4 August 1914: Great Britain stated its support for Belgian neutrality because of the Pact of London in 1839.
Britain declares war

Britain declares war

  • Britain's support for Belgium meant it could declare war on Germany.
  • Germany had not expected Britain to enter the war – especially if France was defeated quickly.
  • 4 August 1914: Britain declared war on Germany.
War on both fronts

War on both fronts

  • In reality, Russia only took 10 days to mobilise.
  • Germany had to split its troops and send some to the Eastern Front.
  • 23 August 1914: Germany first came into conflict with the Entente Powers.
  • The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) met the Germans at the Battle of Mons in Belgium.
Battle of the Marne

Battle of the Marne

  • Between 6 and 10 September 1914, fighting came to an end at the Battle of the Marne.
  • This battle stopped the German advance.
  • This battle hindered the German plan as it stopped them achieving their goal of quickly defeating the French.
'Sir! We have lost the war'

'Sir! We have lost the war'

  • The importance of the Schlieffen Plan succeeding was shown when the Chief of the German General Staff told the Kaiser:
    • ‘Sir! We have lost the war’.
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