Why did the Germans attack France first instead of Russia?

The Germans had planned on two front war. France it was assumed would arm more quickly than Russia. By going through Belgium Germany thought they would quickly defeat France like 1870 and then they could turn all of might on Russia which had potential but would supposedly take a long time to get ready.

Why did Germany planned to attack France through Belgium?

It was assumed that France would be on the defensive because their troops would be (greatly) outnumbered. To win the war, Germany and its allies would have to attack France. After the deployment of the entire German army in the west, they would attack through Belgium and Luxembourg, with virtually all the German force.

Why did Germany need to defeat France so quickly in ww1?

Why was speed vital to the plan? Germany planned to quickly defeat France in the west and then race back to fight Russia in the East. Speed was important because the Germans had to defeat France quickly before Russia was ready to fight. Why did Britain join the war on August 4, 1914?

What did the Schlieffen Plan involve?

The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s tactical solution for avoiding a two-front war with France and Russia. German forces would move through neutral nations like Belgium and Luxembourg, bypassing French fortifications.

Why was the Schlieffen Plan important?

The Schlieffen Plan, devised a decade before the start of World War I, was a failed strategy for Germany to win World War I. The Schlieffen Plan, devised a decade before the start of World War I, outlined a strategy for Germany to avoid fighting at its eastern and western fronts simultaneously.

Why did the Germans need to defeat France in 6 weeks?

Schlieffen concluded that a massive and successful surprise attack against France would be enough to put off Britain becoming involved in a continental war. 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.

What happened when Germany invaded France in ww1?

In just over six weeks, German armed forces overran Belgium and the Netherlands, drove the British Expeditionary Force from the Continent, captured Paris, and forced the surrender of the French government.

Why was the Schlieffen Plan effective?

Why was it so important for Germany that the Schlieffen Plan should succeed?

Schlieffen saw Germany’s best chance of victory in a swift offensive in the West, against France, while in the East, the German army was initially to be on the defensive. But for the plan to succeed, Germany would have to attack France in such a way as to avoid the heavy fortifications along the Franco-German border.

What impact did the Schlieffen Plan have on ww1?

The Schlieffen Plan’s strategy required that France be defeated swiftly – but this didn’t happen. That failure led to sustained trench warfare on the Western Front. In those grim battles of attrition, such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun, Allied forces ultimately outnumbered the Germans.

Why is France responsible for ww1?

The British were accused of supporting France and Russia because they feared Germany as a growing power and wanted to contain or cripple Germany. Raymond Poincaré and the French were blamed for encouraging Russia, for wanting to win back Alsace and Lorraine, and for wanting war while circumstances were right.

What was the Schlieffen Plan in World War I?

Schlieffen Plan Facts for Kids 1 The Schlieffen plan was made before World War I. 2 It was a plan for Germany to avoid fighting at its eastern and western fronts at the same time. 3 But it turned out to be an ugly way of wearing everyone down during World War I 4 Eventually, it led to Germany’s downfall.

Why was Schlieffen so worried about Russia and France?

Schlieffen was very worried about Germany’s position with Russia and France. He was sure that if Germany were to fight a war against Russia and France at the same time, it would not be able to win. Because Europe was dividing into two fronts, he thought that Russia and France were serious enemies.

How long did it take Schlieffen to invade France?

Schlieffen noted that Russia was enormous but lacked a sufficient railway system. The full mobilisation of Russia’s forces would take several weeks, perhaps as long as three or four months. Schlieffen set his sights on finding a way to invade France, capture Paris and force a French surrender quickly, ideally within two months.

Who was Alfred von Schlieffen?

Count Alfred von Schlieffen, mastermind of the Schlieffen Plan, served as Germany’s Chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1891 to 1905. It was Schlieffen’s plan…