The Failure of the Schlieffen Plan and Its Effects on the German Defeat on the Western Front

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...

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...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.