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What was the impact of the failure of the schlieffen plan
What was the impact of the failure of the schlieffen plan
Failure of the Schlieffen plan
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The Failure of the Schlieffen Plan and Its Effects on the German Defeat on the Western Front By the spring of 1914, imperial Germany was spoiling for war. Germany’s leaders were determined to break up the Triple Entente of Britain, France & Russia that had isolated Germany in Europe & thwarted its territorial ambitions. And when Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated on June 28 1914 it gave Kaiser Wilhelm the reason to declare war. In the diplomatic controversy growing out of the assassination, the Kaiser backed Austria-Hungary & totally opposed Russia. This started a series of political & military tactics that made a war inevitable. The constraints of The German ‘Master Plan’ for mobilisation, The Schlieffen Plan, would inevitably involve both Britain & France in any conflict between the Kaiser and the Tsar. And so when Germany declared war on Russia on August 1st World War 1 was launched. “Germany’s inability to produce a quick victory of autumn 1914 resulted in the war of stalemate for which the country was militarily & economically unprepared & ill-suited” Bismarck to Hitler 1890-1937 By Geoff Layton There were many consequences that arose from the Schlieffen plans failure, such as the resignation of General Von Moltke who made changes to the original plan; he apparently burst into Kaiser Wilhelm’s office declaring, “The war is lost”, Years Of Change 1890-1945. He was replaced by the eager but less experienced General Von Falkenhigh, this was not good and would make Germany seem weak if the Allies found out they were replacing Generals. It also did not help inspire German morale or the war effort. Another consequence... ... middle of paper ... ...icers were killed and Naval Boats were captured. This was the final nail in the coffin for a German victory on the Western front. The amnesty was eventually signed on 11 November 1918, which introduced the Treaty of Versailles and ended the war, whilst Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated 17 days later on 28th November & fled to Holland thus ending the reign of Kaisers in Germany. In answer to the question, I believe the answer is no. The Schlieffen plan was not the sole cause of the German defeat on the Western Front in 1918. The plan failed on 11 September 1914 whereas the war ended on 11 November 1918, exactly four years & three months after the plan failed. However, the consequences of the failed plan led to many long & short-term causes that further led to the demise of the Germans on the Western Front from 1914-1918.