The Schlieffen Plan

Superior Essays
The events leading up to World War I proved to be disastrous, both diplomatically and technologically. With the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austria-Hungary Empire by Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914, the sentiment between European powers was already on the brink of war. An increasingly militaristic German Empire sought to expand their boundaries and diplomatic alliances were failing at an alarming rate between the European powers, shifting military alliances between two sects. The Central Powers, primarily the German, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Empires, were in an all-out war against various Allied Powers, in which the bulk of the offensive was made by the French, British, and Russian Empires, …show more content…
Under the military prose of Alfred von Schlieffen, the Schlieffen Plan was executed during the French and Belgium invasion on August 4, 1914. The German military executed this plan successfully throughout the Battle of the Frontiers, successfully defeating a combination of French, British, and Belgium troops on Allied territory in just over a one-month period. This success set the stage for the trench warfare that would come to realization throughout the rest of the war. The Schlieffen Plan was more than a military strategy, it was the understanding of the German Empire that they were surrounded by Allied Powers and in order to achieve victory, must execute multiple divisions in a manner that could swiftly bring the opponent to capitulation. The Plan was developed nearly a decade before Frontiers, and the Allied Powers would find it highly difficult to defend against. The swiftness of the Plan demanded that millions of soldiers be mobilized and able to fight across various types of landforms, including the Rhine River, mountainous terrain, and ultimately better organization of trench warfare. However, both sides are guilty of respecting the technological advances of war, with the Germans using poor communication techniques and the French not adapting to advances in artillery use. The latter would prove to be more costly. …show more content…
Although all nations have depleted men, ammunition, provisions and such, war sentiment is alive in each empire. Nationalism, public opinion, and total control of the empires by large governments contributed to the continuation of war efforts. Although 1917 would be the year that Russia would pull out due to a revolution and lose a significant amount of land to the German Empire, the Germans were finding it difficult to feed their army, altering their advances. This required the increasing German implementation of submarine warfare, hoping to prevent the British Empire and France from receiving imports. However, it was this move - along with the Zimmerman Telegram - which built public support for American intervention, and which ultimately led to the United States declaration of war on the German Empire on April 6,

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    World War I, the first war in the world that involved multiple countries in many parts of the world to be involved in warfare broke out in Europe year of 1914 when the royal prince of Austria was assassinated. Mobilization upraises the conflict between the Allies and Central Powers, also known as the Ottoman Empire. The Allies consisted of United States of America, Great Britain, Japan, and France. The Ottoman Empire countries were Austria, Hungary, and Germany. During World War I, United States of America first wished to remain neutral and not enter warfare.…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Another cause of WWI was the assassination of, the heir of the Austro-Hungarians throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. Gavrilo Princip, a Serb belonging to the group Black Hand, shot and killed Archduke and Franz wife Sophie. The Black Hand wanted to make Serbia to be independent from Austria Hungary. The assassination of Ferdinand led both countries to eventually declare on each…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Emily Gray Mr. Tester DBQ 18 2 March 2015 Causes of World War One Starting in July 1914, many countries in Europe went to war. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the nephew of Francis Joseph, on June 18, 1914 was what ultimately sparked World War I. Ferdinand was shot by Gavrilo Princip, who was part of the Serbian terrorist group commonly known as the Black Hand. Other factors such as the Alliances, Militarism and arms race, and Nationalism are just a few of the reasons for the widespread outbreak known as World War One.…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The German government wanted to stop most of the shipping that came from Britain, and to do so they would of had to do it by what they called U-boats. President Woodrow Wilson went before the Senate on April 2, 1917, to ask for a declaration of war on Germany. Two days later on the date of April 4, 1917, the House declined to make declaration on Germany. On December 7, 1917 , the United States declared war on the German ally of Austria-Hungary. Germany violated America’s request to stop the unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    During the summer of 1914, tension in Europe that had been growing for many years reached its breaking point with the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian terrorist group. Following the assassination, the Austrian-Hungary government and Serbia entered into what became an intricate chain of political disputes. Within less than a month, two coalitions emerged—the Central Powers, which primarily consisted of Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the Allied Powers, which included France, Russia, and Great Britain. As confrontations between the two coalitions persisted, Russia began to mobilize its forces to strike against Germany. Germany, feeling extremely threatened, declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914.…

    • 1629 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Since the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, the United States had been unable to escape war, despite its best efforts. One of the most significant wars in United States history is the First World War (WWI). WWI was a pivotal event for the United States as well as for all of the countries involved. Like most wars, the origins of this war are unclear and complex. However,Germany and the United States each had an exact reason for joining WWI.…

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Germany and the Central Powers expressed strength and militaristic will, while the Allied Powers appealed to Americans through history and heritage. The U.S. stayed neutral until the Germans continued to ignore boundaries on their U-boats, or submarines. German U-boats were recklessly firing upon any and all ships, and it was Wilson’s peaceful intentions that did not thrust the U.S. into the war earlier. But, the Germans could not resist their aggressive attacks on merchant and freighter ships.…

    • 1438 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    That part, notwithstanding, never got intense backing from the Allied or the U.S. Armed force's authority. Weight from both the British and French pioneers asked Wilson to fortify the Western Front that extended from Belgium to Switzerland. Notwithstanding the slaughter, the Army's military pioneers and organizers saw the Western Front as the main place that the United States could assume a definitive part in overcoming Germany. That participation in the unmistakable theater would give Wilson a bigger part and more noteworthy influence in choosing the peace that took after. Consequently it would be on the war zones and in the trenches of France that the U.S. Armed force would battle in 1917 and…

    • 3708 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Neutrality In World War I

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages

    World War I began in July 28, 1914. It was on this day that Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Afterwards, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the attack. Russia supported Serbia, so eventually it led to the Allied Powers against the Central Powers. World War I was mainly fought in Europe.…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    It involved the First Canadian Division which contained an estimated 17,873 Canadian soldiers. In 1915 the Germans were stepping up their offensive on Russia in the east but they wanted to mobilize more troops on the western front. The Germans wanted to draw British forces away from the eastern front so that there would be less resistance if they mounted an assault.…

    • 2157 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Why Us Joined Ww1 Essay

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    USA declared war on German Empire on April 6, 1917, which was during WW1. We are here today to explain the causes of them joining WW1 and provide accurately researched information. Two of the main reasons the US joined ww1 was the Sinking of Lusitania which connects with uncontrolled submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram. We will also include other factors and events such as the British Propaganda that affected the public opinion view of America. An important thing to consider is that the US first had a policy to stay out of the war, but joined after being basically “taunted” by the Germans is several different events Action-Plan…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Western Front The Western Front is a labyrinth of trenches which were used for the protection of soldiers during World War I. It is located down the coasts of France and Belgium and trails 740 km to the Swiss border. Out of the many countries involved, the first few that joined the Western Front included Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium and the British Empire all of which fought against the Ottoman Empire, Germany and Austria-Hungary. One of the main causes of the First World War was due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie on June 28th 1914. He was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian member of the Black Hand.…

    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This meant that many military powers found quick and effective ways to move their supplies and men from place to place. Russia mobilized too quickly, causing a lack of resources and supplies. No one expected the war to last as long as it did. This combined with the rapid and ill-prepared mobilization led to Russia’s ultimate demise and exit from the war. While trench warfare was also very dangerous, a mobile front was a little more dangerous than trench warfare because soldiers were out fighting on the front lines against the other army.…

    • 1506 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Why Did World War 1 Occur

    • 1795 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Duffy is showing that because Russia 's army is so large and powerful, it will not take them long to successfully attack their country, Germany. With their assumptions, Schlieffen planned a strategy to knock France out of the war within those six weeks. In order to do this, he would contribute that majority of Germany to from an assault with Paris. Just in case, some German people stayed behind to hold off the Russians. In order to attack Russia, the Germans were going to invade Belgium.…

    • 1795 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Blitzkrieg Essay

    • 2454 Words
    • 10 Pages

    World War II was a difficult time for everyone. World War II happened roughly between 1939-1943. Some believe it wasn’t a real thing. The Nazis did a very good job hiding the fact that they were persecuting those who they did not believe were of the perfect race. Hitler was the leader of the Nazis and his presence as the leader of the nation made it possible for the Second World War to be such an insane ordeal and slaughter.…

    • 2454 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays