16.2.4

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

Test yourself

Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

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

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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'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’.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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