What Is The Schlieffen Plan Inevitable

It is heavily debated that the German Schlieffen Plan in 1914 was a key factor in the outbreak of European war. The plan was unsuccessful in attacking France due to Belgian intervention. As a result, tensions increased and Britain ultimately declared war. Taylor in Source 1 argues how the plan indeed contributed to the outbreak of war, thus making it inevitable. However, Martel in Source 2 refutes from Taylor’s perspective, arguing that the plan was only carried out through a defensive motive by Germany, to protect Austria-Hungary. Additionally, Grenville in Source 3 supports Martel, again suggesting that the war was inevitable through the failing Alliance System and not the plan itself. With the three sources at hand, cross referencing and …show more content…
Taylor’s source clearly argues how the Schlieffen Plan was responsible for the outbreak of European war. Taylor demonstrates the aggressiveness of the Plan; stating “there could be no delay between mobilisation and war”. Moreover, the source also indicates that the plan was indeed responsible for war due to the breaking of the Treaty of London; “One essential part of the Schlieffen Plan was to go through Belgium”. The treaty from 1839 saw Britain promise to protect Belgium. As a result of German invasion in Belgium, Britain ultimately declared war on Germany. Furthermore, the quote by Taylor also indicates how German aggression within the plan caused general war. The quote indicates how the plan was a key factor in the eruption of war and the strategic developments of Germany in demobilising France. Unlike Taylor, Martel argues for a completely different point. Martel, in contrast, argues that the war was pushed by Russia, creating an agreement that the countries were forced into a conflict rather than one of the powers instigating an aggressive response. Additonally, both Taylor and Martel have contrasting perspectives of the railway timetables in their