How important was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in how the war developed to the end of 1914? Explain your answer.
Level
IGCSE
Year Examined
2023
Topic
THE FIRST WORLD WAR, 1914–18
👑Complete Model Essay
How important was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in how the war developed to the end of 1914? Explain your answer.
How Important Was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in How the War Developed to the End of 1914?
The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) played a significant, though not always decisive, role in shaping the early months of World War One. While its relatively small size and eventual stalemate with German forces might suggest a limited impact, the BEF's actions, particularly at Mons and the Marne, contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan and the establishment of the Western Front.
The BEF's entry into the war was prompted by Germany's violation of Belgian neutrality. Although numbering only 120,000 men, these were professional soldiers, unlike the majority of the German army which relied on conscription. Their performance at the Battle of Mons (August 1914), while ultimately a tactical retreat, managed to delay the German advance and significantly boost British morale.
More crucial was the BEF's involvement in the Battle of the Marne (September 1914). Fighting alongside the French, the BEF helped force a German retreat, effectively ending their hopes for a swift victory in the west. This failure of the Schlieffen Plan had enormous implications, forcing Germany into a two-front war and leading to the entrenchment that would characterise the conflict.
However, arguing that the BEF was solely responsible for the war's development ignores other crucial factors. The Schlieffen Plan's inherent flaws, including its reliance on rigid timetables and underestimation of Belgian and British resistance, played a significant role in its failure. Additionally, Russia's rapid mobilization forced Germany to divert troops eastward, weakening their western offensive.
Furthermore, the BEF's impact diminished after the First Battle of Ypres (October-November 1914). While they prevented a German breakthrough, the battle descended into a stalemate, marking the beginning of trench warfare. This static form of combat, with its reliance on artillery and machine guns, would come to define the Western Front. The BEF, like other armies, struggled to adapt to this new type of warfare, highlighting the limitations of its impact.
In conclusion, while the BEF's role in shaping the war's early development should not be underestimated, it was just one piece in a complex puzzle. The BEF's performance at Mons and the Marne contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan and the establishment of the Western Front. However, other factors, such as the plan's weaknesses, Russian mobilization, and the evolution of trench warfare, were equally, if not more, significant in determining the course of the conflict after 1914.
Sources:
• Strachan, H. (2001) The First World War, 1914-18. Viking.
• Keegan, J. (2001) The First World War. Vintage.
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Essay Outline: How Important was the BEF to the Development of WWI by the End of 1914?
This essay will argue that while the BEF played a significant, morale-boosting role in the early stages of World War One, its overall impact on the war's development by the end of 1914 was limited.
I. Introduction:
⭐Briefly introduce the BEF and its entry into World War One.
⭐State your thesis: While the BEF achieved tactical victories and boosted morale, larger factors ultimately shaped the war's development by the end of 1914.
II. Arguments for the BEF's Importance:
A. Early Victories and Morale:
⭐Describe the BEF's performance at the Battle of Mons, highlighting its professional experience against German conscripts.
⭐Explain how this victory, though a tactical retreat, boosted British morale and slowed the German advance.
⭐Discuss the BEF's role in the Battle of the Marne, forcing a German retreat and contributing to the “Miracle on the Marne".
B. Contribution to Trench Warfare:
⭐Explain how the BEF's actions at the Marne contributed to the German decision to dig trenches.
⭐Describe the subsequent “race to the sea” and the establishment of static trench lines.
⭐Mention the First Battle of Ypres and the stalemate that characterized the Western Front.
III. Arguments Against the BEF's Decisive Importance:
A. Limited Size and Impact:
⭐Acknowledge the BEF's relatively small size compared to the German army.
⭐Emphasize that while the BEF delayed the German advance, it couldn't prevent the establishment of the Western Front.
B. Wider Strategic Factors:
⭐Discuss the significance of the Schlieffen Plan's failure and Belgian resistance in forcing a two-front war for Germany.
⭐Highlight the role of Russian mobilization in diverting German troops from the Western Front.
⭐Mention the impact of logistical challenges and poor supply lines faced by all armies.
C. Technological and Tactical Stalemate:
⭐Explain how the BEF, like other armies, struggled to adapt to defensive warfare and new technologies like the machine gun.
⭐Connect this to the eventual stalemate on the Western Front.
IV. Conclusion:
⭐Summarize the BEF's contributions: boosting British morale, slowing the German advance, and playing a role in the establishment of trench warfare.
⭐Reiterate that larger factors, such as the Schlieffen Plan's failure, Russian mobilization, and the nature of modern warfare ultimately had a more significant impact on the war's development by the end of 1914.
⭐Offer a nuanced perspective on the BEF's significance, acknowledging its contributions while placing them within the broader context of the war.
By analyzing both the BEF's achievements and the larger strategic context, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of its role in the early months of World War One.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How important was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in how the war developed to the end of 1914? Explain your answer.
Yes
<br>
The BEF entered the war to protect Belgium after the German invasion. The BEF was only 120,000 strong, composed of professional soldiers as opposed to the German conscripts. They fought at Mons in 1914, successfully slowing the German advance. This was a morale boost for the BEF. They were even more successful at the Battle of the Marne, where they forced a German retreat. This led to the Germans digging in a defensive line of trenches, which Britain and France did the same, leading to the ‘race to the sea’. The First Battle of Ypres resulted in a stalemate, leading to static warfare in trenches.
No
<br>
The Battle of Mons did force the BEF to retreat to the outskirts of Paris. The BEF was a small army in comparison to Germany’s. More importantly, the failure of the Schlieffen Plan to capture Paris and defeat France was a key contributing factor to the war’s development. Belgian resistance was also pivotal. This led to a two-front war for Germany. The lack of modern military tactics to deal with defensive warfare and new weapons such as the machine gun were crucial aspects. Russia's mobilization in just 10 days forced von Moltke to send reinforcements to the eastern front. Poor supply lines also played a significant role.