The failure of the Schlieffen Plan

Why was the Schlieffen plan a fail?

The schleifen plan relied on taking over Paris and took far too long so meant Germany became impatient and resources ran out

What happened in November 1914?

There was a fierce battle at Ypres near the Belgium coast as the Germans tried to smash through the French and British defences.

What was the Western Front?

A line of heavily fortified German trenches stretched from the coast of Belgium to the mountains in Switzerland. Opposite those trenches was a line of Allied trenches equally strong. This 600km line of trenches became known as the western front.

What happened after the Battle of the Marne?

Both sides dug trenches and extended them sideways to protect themselves from attack. There now followed a 'race to sea' as both sides dashed north in hope of braking through before the enemy had got their first

What happened in the battle of Marne (5th-11th September)?

In the Battle the huge German army (over a million men) fought the French army, supported by the BEF, along a front 200 kilometres wide. The exhausted German army finally retreated 60 kilometres to the River Aisne. The great advance had been stopped. The Schlieffen Plan, which relied on defeating the French by capturing Paris before the main French forces could defend it, had failed

Who was the first to sea?

Neither

Why did Germany change their plan and what to?

Progress through Belgium was slower than expected and the Germans changed their plan and drove east of Paris to meet the French army marching of the Marne back to protect Paris.

What happened at the battle?

The Germans failed and suffered over 134,000 casualties. The 'winners', Britain and France, suffered 142,000 casualties. It was a sign of things to come

What were the tactics of the plan?

The Germans intended to invade France, not through the heavily fortified border, but instead through largely undefended Belgium. German forces would sweep through Belgium, round Paris and then cut off the French capital from the main French forces in the east of the country. At the same time a German force would fight the main French army on the Franco- German border.

What was the Schlieffen Plan?

The Schlieffen Plan was the German army's plan for war against France. It was created by the German Chief of Staff Alfred von Schlieffen in 1903.

What did the failure of the Germans make the war become?

The War became a Stalemate