The Schlieffen Plan Germany’s Plan for a Quick Victory

The German Dilemma Treaty between France, Britain and Russia Germany was between them Worried about attacks

Who was von Schlieffen? German Army Chief of Staff in 1905 Saw the need for a plan to deal with enemies on two opposite borders Began to circulate his plan in December, 1905

A Quick Victory Schlieffen believed that the key to victory was in a quick defeat of France Destroy the French Army before the Russians could mobilize. Schlieffen thought the Russians would need six weeks to put their army together If the French were quickly defeated, the British and Russians would not get involved.

The Original Plan The attack would go through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg Avoid the French fortifications on the German-French border 90% of German forces attack France

Schlieffen’s Replacement Helmuth von Moltke Replaced Schlieffen as Chief of Staff in 1906 Made changes to plan

Von Moltke’s Plan No invasion of Holland Invade through Flanders 34 divisions invade Belgium 8 divisions should be kept back in case of Russian attacks

The German Onslaught August 2, 1914 Germans invade Luxembourg and Belgium Belgian army stalls the Germans Russia advances into East Prussia The British Expeditionary force lands quickly into France and Belgium

The Result The early stalemate meant there would be no quick victory for either side Both sides began to build trenches.