The Schlieffen Plan Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

Germany's plan to avoid a two-front war by attacking France through Belgium and defeating her within six weeks, then turning east against Russia.

Give one reason the Schlieffen Plan failed in 1914, linked to Russia.

Russia mobilised more quickly than expected, so German troops were sent east, weakening the advance on Paris.

True or false? The German army advanced through Belgium unopposed in 1914.

False. Strong Belgian resistance, and the BEF's engagement at Mons, slowed the German advance so France was not defeated in six weeks.

What happened at the Battle of the Marne (September 1914), and what followed it?

French and British troops halted the German advance on Paris; the Germans retreated and both sides dug trenches, ending the war of movement and beginning the stalemate.

What was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)?

Britain's small army of professional, regular soldiers, sent to France at the start of the war in August 1914 to fight alongside the French and Belgians.

Why did the Schlieffen Plan assume Germany had about six weeks to defeat France?

German planners expected Russia, with its huge size and poor railways, to take about six weeks to mobilise its army.