What is the "Schleiffen Plan?"

BRY2K

The Schlieffen Plan was created by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in December 1905. The Schlieffen Plan was the operational plan for a designated attack on France once Russia, in response to international tension, had started to mobilise her forces near the German border. The execution of the Schlieffen Plan led to Britain declaring war on Germany on August 4th, 1914. The Schlieffen Plan was revised as tension in Europe increased. However, the basic mechanics of it remained the same: a devastating attack on France via Belgium as soon as Russia had announced her intention to mobilise. a holding operation on the Russian/German border to be carried out if necessary and if required. Germany had 6 weeks to defeat France. Germany would then use her modernised rail system to move troops from the French operation to the Russian front. Russia would then be attacked and defeated. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/schlieffen_plan.htm Feb 26 09, 1:26 PM

guitargoddess

And "plans" don't always go so smoothly, of course. France didn't roll over and admit defeat in the 6 weeks allotted for that, so Germany ended up in a stalemate on the Western Front and at war in the East with Russia simultaneously. The German High Command realized very quickly in the fall of 1914 that they could not win a war on two fronts (though they'd have to continue in that fashion until the winter of 1917-18). http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWschlieffenP.htm This would be a big reason why the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was signed in 1939: lessons learned from the First World War told Hitler he couldn't fight a two-front war, so he got Russia on his side. http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/World/HitlerStalin.html Feb 26 09, 1:39 PM