the schlifflen plan essays

the schlifflen plan essays In 1905, General Alfred von Schlieffen, who at that time was the Chief of the General Staff of Germany, developed a plan for war in Europe. He developed the plan in an attempt to prepare for the inevitable, a two front war with France and Russia. When he developed the plan he took in account all aspects of the many events that were occurring during that time. Unfortunately, the plan would involve a violation of the International Agreement, signed by the Great Powers in 1839, guaranteeing Belgiums permanent neutrality. Schlieffen believed that France would attempt to recover Alsace-Lorraine. He planned to draw the French into a major offensive battle in Alsace. While Frances attention was turned to that part of the country, 90% of the German Army would storm through Belgium and the Netherlands toward the South of Paris in a sweeping movement. This would allow the German forces to travel through the borders of Belgium, Netherlands, and the surrounding country side toward the South Paris, entrapping the French Army between the two German forces. This would allow Germany to attack the French army from their weaker point in the rear. With the French Army engaged in war with the other 10% of the German Army, the French would not notice the Germans coming from the rear. The Germans coming form the rear would push the French forward, trapping them between the two German forces. William the Second, the Emperor of Germany, replaced General Schlieffen with Helmuth von Moltke, as the Chief of the Gen eral Staff of Germany in 1906. Moltke modified the Schlieffen Plan from the original version. The Schlieffen Plan was a very engenus plan. The plan was devised for the German troops to be dispersed as follows: 1) 11 corps and 7 Reserve corps South of Namur 2) 6 corps and 1/2 Reserve corps through Mezieres 3) 8 corps and 5 Reserve corps through Verdun and Metz 4) 3 corps and 1 Reserve corps th...