What was the Schlieffen Plan and why was it unsuccessful during World War I

What was the Schlieffen Plan and why was it unsuccessful during World War I

Introduction

General Count Alfred von Schlieffe (from 1891 to 1905) made the Schlieffen Plan in December 1905. He was chief of staff of General Army and was retired on the last day of 1905. He died in 1913 (HSC online, n.d.). He got some instructions to make strategy. Schlieffen Plan was German war strategy, made for First World War. It was made according to Germany's geographical locations and associations in Europe. Before Schlieffen many German military leaders had faced such wars, but Schlieffen decided to concentrate first on defeating France in the west.

The purpose of this plan was to defeat the France from the west and the Russia from the east. Schlieffen decided to use regular army as well as, German reserve group for the war. This plan failed because French were stronger than German thought. Also, Russian activated their groups somewhat more rapidly. Schlieffen thought that France is more dangerous rival of Germany than Russia, because Russia was not too powerful than France that time. Schlieffen planned to attack France through Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg. According to Schlieffen plan 90% of the German forces used to attack France (Spartacus educational, 2012). Schlieffen thought that Russia would take minimum 6 weeks to arrange and organize its army for the Germany attack. Therefore, according to Schlieffen it was important to hit France first.

Discussion

Schlieffen plan was a famous strategy plan. It was one of the most decisive war plans. This plan was for Germany to face the France for their attack, and afterward put their efforts to face Russia. France and Russia were partners. In 1870, Germany defeated France, and it was still a point to ...