Failure of the Schlieffen Plan
History: KS3, topic 16.2.4
Failure of the Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan did not work as the German government had hoped.
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'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
- 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
- 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'
- 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’.
Test yourself on Failure of the Schlieffen Plan
How did the Schlieffen Plan begin?
Why was there a war on two fronts in August 1914?