The Schlieffen Plan (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Zoe Wade
The Schlieffen Plan - Summary
The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s strategy, developed in 1905 by General Alfred von Schlieffen, to avoid fighting a war on two fronts against France and Russia. Germany feared being encircled, so the plan focused on a quick, surprise attack on France. The German army aimed to invade France by going through Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, where France would be less prepared. Germany expected that Russia would take at least six weeks to prepare its troops, giving Germany enough time to defeat France and then focus on Russia.
The Schlieffen Plan failed when Germany invaded Belgium, as Belgian resistance slowed their advance. Britain entered the war to protect Belgium, and Russia mobilised faster than expected, forcing Germany to split its forces. Exhausted troops, supply problems, and strong French resistance led to Germany's defeat at the Battle of the Marne. This marked the failure of the Schlieffen Plan and the start of trench warfare and a long, two-front war for Germany.
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Germany feared being encircled by France and Russia
In 1905, Germany created a plan to prevent being encircled and a potential war on two fronts
This plan was called the Schlieffen Plan
It was created by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen, the head of the German Army
The Schlieffen Plan
In the Schlieffen Plan, Germany would attack France first
Germany would go through Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg to reach France
Germany decided to do this as France expected Germany to attack via their shared border
Germany believed that Russia would take approximately 6 weeks (if not months) to mobilise
This was due to their poor communications
After taking Paris, Germany would turn and attack Russia
Awaiting image
Examiner Tips and Tricks
It is important to know both the 1905 Schlieffen Plan, and how the Schlieffen Plan was enacted in 1914. This is because the failure of the Schlieffen Plan is very important to the creation of stalemate.
In addition, you could be asked an 8-mark 'Write an account' question in the AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension: The First World War exam paper on the success of the Schlieffen Plan or even a 16-mark question on why it failed.
Did the Schlieffen Plan work?
On the 3rd of August, 1914 Germany enacted the Schlieffen Plan
From the beginning of the Schlieffen Plan, it faced problems which resulted in its failure
Why did the Schlieffen Plan fail?
Belgium's actions
Belgium refused to allow the German Army through so they could attack France
This resulted in Germany invading Belgium and Britain declaring war on Germany to aid Belgium, as agreed in the 1839 Treaty of London
Belgium fought against the Germans
Germany did not expect Belgium to fight back
Belgium slowed the German Army down. delaying their invasion of France by five days
Britain's actions
Britain upheld the 1839 Treaty of London
Germany did not expect Britain to uphold this treaty
Britain sent the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) to aid France and Belgium
The BEF delayed the German advance at the Battle of Mons
The BEF showed that they were a small but elite force
Russia's actions
Russia mobilised their army in ten days
Germany had predicted that it would take Russia at least six weeks to mobilise
Russia mobilised one million soldiers, and was nicknamed the 'steam-roller'
Germany was not aware that Russia had been making plans for war since the Balkans Crisis of 1908-1909
Germany had to send 100,000 soldiers east to fight Russia
Germany was fighting a war on two fronts
Germany's actions
The German Army marched too quickly
Their food and supply trains could not keep up
German troops were exhausted after only a few weeks into the war
German commanders were unwilling to change the original 1905 plans
This created problems as the plan needed to be flexible to overcome the issues e.g. blown up bridges in Belgium
Germany underestimated Russia
Germany had to split its forces to react to Russia's quick mobilisation
The German Army had to march through Belgium and France, taking a long time
The Belgium's destroyed bridges and roads slowing down the German advance
The French Army used trains and taxis to move their troops in the Battle of Marne, which gave them an advantage
Germany lost the Battle of the Marne in 1914
They were forced to retreat
Germany began to dig trenches, which signed the failure of the Schlieffen Plan and the start of the stalemate
Worked Example
Study Source A.
Source A is critical of Germany. How do you know?
[4 marks]
Source A: A British political cartoon, created in the weekly magazine Punch, 12th August 1914.
Answer:
Source A is critical of Germany because it was created by a British magazine in August 1914 (1). In August 1914, Britain was at war with Germany as they invaded Belgium and broke the 1839 Treaty of London. The British public at this time disliked Germany due to their actions in Belgium and blamed them for causing the First World War (1).
Source A is critical of Germany because it shows Germany as an old man, who is threatening a young boy - Belgium (1). Germany was seen as aggressive as their Schlieffen Plan resulted in the invasion of Belgium, which was weak and had a small army. However, Belgium forces were able to slow down the advancing German army, contributing to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In the AQA GCSE Conflict and Tension: The First World War exam paper, you may be asked to answer a 12-mark 'How useful' question on the Schlieffen Plan.
In this question, you will need to explain how two historical sources are useful to a historian. You should not explain which source is more useful.
However, to achieve a Level 4, you will need to explain how the two sources when used together are more useful.
More guidance and help on this question can be found here.
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