The

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The Schlieffen Plan
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Learning Outcomes

• I understand what the Schlieffen plan was
• I understand why it failed
• Record learning in your diary

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German Fears

• As a result of the Triple Entente Germany feared
  a combined attack from Britain, France and
  Russia.
• This would mean a war on two fronts.
• 1905 Germany began to prepare for this.

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Alfred von schlieffen

• German Army Chief of Staff, Alfred Von Schlieffen
  was given the task of devising a plan which would
  avoid a war on two fronts.
• By 1905 he had drawn up the Schlieffen plan.

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The Plan

• Schlieffen believed if a war was to break out it
  would be important to defeat France quickly
  before Russia had a chance to mobilise her army.
• Schlieffen proposed attacking France through
  Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg.
• He planned to use 90 of German armed forces to
  deliver a knock out blow to France.
• The remaining 10 would defend the eastern border
  against Russian attack.

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Assumptions

• Russia would take at least 6 weeks to mobilise.
• France would be easily defeated in 6 weeks.
• Belgium would not resist any German attack.
• Britain would remain neutral.

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Von Moltke

• Von Moltke replaced Von Schlieffen in 1906 and
  made some changes to the plan.
• His plan avoided invading Holland.
• The main route would now be through Belgium.
• Belgiums small army would be unable to resist
  German forces allowing them to quickly enter
  France.

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Failure

• August 1914 German army invaded Luxemburg and
  Belgium.
• The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) came to
  Belgiums aid.
• Together they held up the German army.
• Russia mobilised in just 10 days and Germany were
  forced to withdraw troops to defend her eastern
  border.

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Failure

• Germany did not take Paris and decided to attack
  east of the capital.
• They were met by the French at the Battle of
  Marne from the 5th to the 11th of September which
  halted German advance.

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Activity

• http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launc
  h_ani_western_front.shtml
• Get a copy of the map The Schlieffen Plan
• Colour the French helmets RED.
• Colour the German helmets BLUE.
• Colour the (BEF) British GREEN.
• Glue the map into your jotter

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Activity

• Get a copy of the mp The Race to the Sea
• Colour the German helmet and arrows BLUE.
• Colour the British (B) and arrows GREEN.
• Colour the dotted line with a pen or pencil
• Glue into your jotter.
• http//www.schoolhistory.co.uk/quizzes/wwi/Schlief
  fenplan.htm Quiz