How important was British and French resistance as a factor in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan?
Level
O LEVEL
Year Examined
2021
Topic
THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1914–18
👑Complete Model Essay
How important was British and French resistance as a factor in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan?
How Important Was British and French Resistance in the Failure of the Schlieffen Plan?
The Schlieffen Plan, Germany's strategy for a swift victory in a two-front war, ultimately failed, leading to a protracted and devastating conflict. While British and French resistance played a role, its significance in the plan's failure should be considered alongside other crucial factors.
Undoubtedly, Allied resistance, particularly in the war's early stages, disrupted the Schlieffen Plan's timetable. Belgian resistance, though ultimately overcome, delayed the German advance, buying valuable time for French and British mobilization. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF), comprising 120,000 professional soldiers, played a crucial role in halting the German advance at the Battle of Mons. Further, the effective French mobilization and their staunch defense at the Battle of the Marne forced the Germans into a costly retreat, shattering their hopes for a quick victory in the west. The subsequent "Race to the Sea" and battles like the First Battle of Ypres further demonstrated Allied resolve and prevented Germany from achieving its strategic goal of outflanking the Allies.
However, focusing solely on Allied resistance risks overlooking inherent flaws and miscalculations within the Schlieffen Plan itself. The plan, conceived in 1905, was outdated and based on assumptions that proved disastrously wrong. It underestimated both the speed of Russian mobilization and the likelihood of British intervention. Russia mobilized in ten days, not the anticipated six weeks, forcing Germany to divert crucial troops to the Eastern Front, weakening the attack in the West.
Furthermore, modifications to the original plan by Helmuth von Moltke, Germany's Chief of the General Staff, proved detrimental. His decision to reduce troop commitment in the west, coupled with the alteration of the attack route to bypass the Netherlands, ultimately weakened the German offensive. The plan's reliance on outdated tactics and its failure to anticipate the impact of new technologies like machine guns also contributed to its downfall. Overextended German supply lines and logistical challenges further hampered their progress.
In conclusion, while British and French resistance, particularly in the early stages of the war, played a significant role in disrupting the Schlieffen Plan's timeline and preventing a swift German victory, attributing its failure solely to these factors would be an oversimplification. The plan's inherent flaws, its outdated assumptions, crucial miscalculations regarding Russian mobilization and British intervention, alongside modifications by von Moltke, played a more decisive role in its ultimate failure. Allied resistance, while heroic, should be seen as one factor amongst several that contributed to the demise of the Schlieffen Plan and the subsequent stalemate on the Western Front.
Source:
THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1914–18, History Essay
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Outline
I. Introduction
A. State the importance of understanding the role of British and French resistance in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan.
B. Provide a brief overview of the Schlieffen Plan and its goals.
II. Argument for British and French Resistance as a Critical Factor
A. Highlight the significance of Belgian resistance at the start of the war, which delayed the German advance.
B. Discuss the role of the BEF in protecting Belgium and holding up the Germans at the Battle of Mons.
C. Emphasize the contribution of French mobilization, which halted the German advance at the Battle of the Marne and forced them to dig in.
D. Explain how the "race to the sea" prevented Germany from outflanking the Allies, citing the First Battle of Ypres as an example.
III. Counterargument: Other Factors Contributing to the Failure of the Schlieffen Plan
A. Acknowledge the changes made to the plan by von Moltke, which reduced the troop commitment in the East.
B. Discuss the outdated nature of the plan, which was developed in 1905 and based on outdated assumptions.
C. Highlight the unexpected resistance encountered by the German forces in Belgium and its impact on the plan's execution.
D. Explain how Russia's rapid mobilization forced von Moltke to divert troops to the Eastern Front.
IV. Conclusion
A. Summarize the key points of the essay, reiterating the importance of British and French resistance as a factor in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan.
B. Acknowledge the contributions of other factors, such as the plan's flaws and unforeseen circumstances.
C. State the significance of understanding the complex interplay of factors that led to the plan's failure.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How important was British and French resistance as a factor in the failure of the Schlieffen Plan? Explain your answer.
YES – Belgian resistance at the start of the war held up the German advance; BEF entered the war to protect Belgium who held up the Germans at the Battle of Mons; 120,000 trained, professional soldiers helped hold off a much larger German force of mainly conscripts; French mobilisation effective – halted German advance at the Battle of the Marne and forced the Germans to dig in; ‘race to the sea’ stopped Germany from outflanking Allies – First Battle of Ypres etc.
NO – More important – plan changed by von Moltke reducing troop commitment in the East; plan was outdated – first created in 1905; based on assumption of no British intervention and believed Russia would take 6 weeks to mobilise its army; von Moltke also changed the route of the attack avoiding Netherlands and not predicting Belgian resistance; Russia's mobilisation only took 10 days and forced von Moltke to divert troops to the Eastern Front; stretched German supply lines; new weapons and outdated tactics etc.