Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Schlieffen Plan
Germany’s Situation in Europe, 1914
The Ottoman Empire was crumbling, but new powers grew and prospered- The German Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the largest of them all- The Russian Empire. Although these empires were flourishing and gaining many colonies- Europe was on the verge of a war with itself.
Before 1870, Germany was a collection of small states- of which Prussia was the most powerful. In 1870, Bismarck, a Prussian statesman won a war against France. This war was for one of France’s important industrial areas known as Alsace-Lorraine. After the win, Germany became very ambitious and successful. (Walsh, Ben)
Germany also secretly formed a defensive alliance …show more content…
By December 1914, more than half of the BEF were dead. While the German army kept trying to advance, France tried to take advantage of the situation and take back Alsace-Lorraine, but this failed. Therefore, France quickly switched their troops to defend Paris- this involved transporting troops. Germany was pushed back by around 35 miles as the BEF continued to help the French troops. (BBC News.)
What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Schlieffen Plan?
The main weakness of The Schlieffen Plan was that it was very dependent on certain things to happen. Firstly, they were too reliant on rapid movement, they believed that the Belgium troops would barely put up a fight and the Belgian army had put up a great fight- they and the BEF slowed them down.
Secondly, they thought Britain didn’t value its treaty with Belgium and wouldn’t help them prevent Germany from advancing. Thirdly, after Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany the next day- while the German troops were still in Belgium. Fourthly, Germany also relied on France attacking Alsace-Lorraine, although France did try to attack Alsace-Lorraine, they quickly moved their troops to defend
Germany’s Situation in Europe, 1914
The Ottoman Empire was crumbling, but new powers grew and prospered- The German Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the largest of them all- The Russian Empire. Although these empires were flourishing and gaining many colonies- Europe was on the verge of a war with itself.
Before 1870, Germany was a collection of small states- of which Prussia was the most powerful. In 1870, Bismarck, a Prussian statesman won a war against France. This war was for one of France’s important industrial areas known as Alsace-Lorraine. After the win, Germany became very ambitious and successful. (Walsh, Ben)
Germany also secretly formed a defensive alliance …show more content…
By December 1914, more than half of the BEF were dead. While the German army kept trying to advance, France tried to take advantage of the situation and take back Alsace-Lorraine, but this failed. Therefore, France quickly switched their troops to defend Paris- this involved transporting troops. Germany was pushed back by around 35 miles as the BEF continued to help the French troops. (BBC News.)
What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Schlieffen Plan?
The main weakness of The Schlieffen Plan was that it was very dependent on certain things to happen. Firstly, they were too reliant on rapid movement, they believed that the Belgium troops would barely put up a fight and the Belgian army had put up a great fight- they and the BEF slowed them down.
Secondly, they thought Britain didn’t value its treaty with Belgium and wouldn’t help them prevent Germany from advancing. Thirdly, after Germany invaded Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany the next day- while the German troops were still in Belgium. Fourthly, Germany also relied on France attacking Alsace-Lorraine, although France did try to attack Alsace-Lorraine, they quickly moved their troops to defend