In This SAS Curriculum Pathways Web Inquiry You Will Be ✓ Solved

In this SAS Curriculum Pathways Web Inquiry you will be

In this SAS Curriculum Pathways Web Inquiry you will be provided links to primary sources that you will examine to help you answer the focus question: Why the Schlieffen plan fail? Follow this link to Web Inquiry 193. If prompted, enter “melody9off†in the Student User Name then click "log in" to begin. (quick launch #193). Copy and save the Respond sheet to your computer. Answer the questions about the Schlieffen plan and the Battle of the Marne.

Be sure your answers are in complete sentences and use specific detail from the reading. Submit your answers when complete.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Schlieffen Plan, devised by German General Count Alfred von Schlieffen, was designed to enable Germany to win a quick victory in World War I by avoiding a prolonged two-front war against France and Russia. Its failure had significant implications for the course of the war and the eventual outcome. To understand why the Schlieffen Plan failed, it is essential to examine the strategic assumptions made during its formulation, the execution of the plan, and the subsequent implications, particularly observed during the Battle of the Marne.

Strategic Assumptions of the Schlieffen Plan

The Schlieffen Plan was based on several crucial assumptions. Firstly, it assumed a quick success against France, relying on rapid mobility to envelop Paris. This required a strong concentration of German forces on the Western Front. Secondly, it underestimated Russian mobilization; it was believed that Russia would take around six weeks to prepare its army for engagement, granting Germany ample time to defeat France before turning eastward (Herwig, 1997). Lastly, the plan relied on Belgium providing minimal resistance, allowing German troops to bypass French defenses.

Execution of the Schlieffen Plan

In August 1914, the German army invaded Belgium, adhering to the Schlieffen Plan's directive to outflank French defenses. However, the execution revealed considerable flaws. The Belgian resistance was more robust than anticipated, prompting delays in the German advance (Horne, 1993). Moreover, the plan's rigidity resulted in tactical inflexibility; as the situation unfolded, commanders on the ground struggled with the dynamics of war. The intention to focus primarily on Paris meant that German forces were spread thin, particularly when Victor Emmanuel II’s forces engaged from the South and the French regrouped (Duffy, 1996).

The Battle of the Marne

As German forces reached the outskirts of Paris in September 1914, the strategic vulnerability of the Schlieffen Plan became apparent. The French, with British support, managed to regroup and counterattack, leading to the First Battle of the Marne from September 6 to 12, 1914. This battle marked a turning point, as it resulted in a complete halt to the German advance and initiated a dragging stalemate characterized by trench warfare (Strachan, 2001).

The German failure to capture Paris resulted in significant strategic losses. They not only abandoned the Schlieffen Plan but also found themselves entrenched across a wider front, unable to deliver the decisive blow they had envisioned. The resulting trench warfare led to a protracted conflict that extended beyond the original timeframe anticipated by German military planners (Showalter, 1998).

Consequences of the Schlieffen Plan's Failure

The failure of the Schlieffen Plan had dire consequences for Germany and altered the landscape of World War I. A lengthy war of attrition ensued, significantly straining German resources and morale (Mombauer, 2001). The expectation of a quick victory fostered a profound disillusionment within Germany as the war dragged on without clear resolution. The static nature of trench warfare resulted in horrific casualties for all parties involved, yet Germany was unable to capitalize on early successes due to poor logistical planning and execution (Tuchman, 1962).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Schlieffen Plan failed primarily due to flawed strategic assumptions, inadequate execution, and the unforeseen resilience of the Allies. The initial German advances spectacularly collapsed during the First Battle of the Marne, leading to a shift from mobile warfare to static trench warfare, which characterized World War I. These developments ultimately transformed the conflict into one of attrition rather than decisive battles, contributing to the eventual downfall of Germany in 1918.

References

• Duffy, Christopher. (1996). The German Army 1890-1914. Routledge.
• Herwig, Holger H. (1997). The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918. The Military Book Club.
• Horne, Alistair. (1993). The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789-1848. HarperCollins.
• Mombauer, Anne. (2001). The Schlieffen Plan: Creation and Implementation. Cambridge University Press.
• Showalter, Dennis E. (1998). The Wars of Germany. Oxford University Press.
• Strachan, Hew. (2001). The First World War: A New History. Simon & Schuster.
• Tuchman, Barbara W. (1962). The Guns of August. Macmillan.
• Keegan, John. (1993). The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme. Penguin Books.
• Barbero, Alessandro. (2006). The Day of the Barbarians: The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Atlantic Monthly Press.
• Zuber, Terrence. (2004). The Emergence of Sirdar's Army: The Way to Scholfield's Policy. Naval Institute Press.