12/5/2023 0 Comments Battle of tannenberg significanceNot only did Wilhelm fire Chancellor Bismarck, but he was also overconfident in World War I, which gave Germany a huge disadvantage. When Wilhelm II took over, “he dumped Bismarck, while he watched Russia and France create an alliance.” (Bolger, 1). The reason Wilhelm II was a major problem for Germany was that he did not agree with Bismarck’s idea of keeping an alliance with the Russians. Germany had a good relationship with Russia before Wilhelm II took office. Since the goal of the Schlieffen Plan was to “isolate France,” “Bismarck wove elaborate diplomatic schemes to ensure good relations with Russia.” (Bolger, 1). Before Wilhelm II took office, Germans such as Chancellor Otto von Bismarck were trying to keep a good relationship with Russia. Not only did Wilhelm II believe that Russia was not prepared for war, but he was also overconfident and not afraid of a two-front war between France and Russia. The reason he did not keep good relations with Russia is that he believed that the Russians were not prepared for war after the outcome of the Russo-Japanese War. Instead, what happened to Germany was that Kaiser Wilhelm II did not keep good relations with the Russians. The purpose of the Schlieffen Plan was for Germany to “keep France isolated.” (Bolger, 1). Daniel Bolger, a writer for the Army Magazine, discussed “Schlieffen’s Perfect Plan” and “the war of 1870-71 indicated that France could not beat Germany.” (Bolger, 1). For example, before World War I began, the French were not successful when it came to wars. The Schlieffen Plan was a failure in World War I due to Kaiser Wilhelm II being overconfident. The failure of the Schlieffen Plan illustrates how a lack of planning and respect for the opposition had repercussions that led to the greater conflict of World War I. This led to the Schlieffen Plan being a failure in World War I. Not only did Germany incite Britain to declare war by entering Belgium, but they also underestimated Russia and France throughout World War I. Due to Britain declaring war, the plan was less likely to be successful because the purpose of the plan was for Germany to conquer Paris without one of their alliances joining them. The significance of the Schlieffen Plan was for Germany to “capture Paris before France’s allies could join the battle.” (Reid,1). While the Schlieffen Plan initially seemed that it was going to be successful, when the Germans entered Belgium, it violated a treaty forcing Britain to declare World War I. His reasoning behind this is that Luxembourg “possesses no army, and through Belgium, which will withdraw its relatively weak army into its fortress.” (Foley, 226). So, they decided to enter through Luxembourg and Belgium. Schlieffen decided to send his troops up North instead of South because the Swiss army was “ready for war and the passes through the Jura mountains.” (Foley, 226). While Schlieffen was planning to attack France, he had to think about where he had to send his troops to. The reason Schlieffen gave an estimated timeline of six weeks is that Russia suffered considerable damage to Japan during the Russo-Japanese War. The Schlieffen Plan was designed for Germany to defeat France in six weeks before Russia could mobilize. Not only did Germany have to deal with France and Russia, but the plan also failed dramatically in World War I due to them entering through Belgium, not having enough resources, and underestimating France and Russia. Germany agreed to an alliance with Austria-Hungary, which led them to a two-front war between France and Russia. Hannibal during the Battle of Cannae inspired Schlieffen that Hannibal was known for attacking such as “swinging in both of his flanking contingents, bagging the stunned Roman legionaries.” (Bolger, 1). The Schlieffen plan according to Schlieffen took inspiration from “Hannibal Barca of Carthage during the Battle of Cannae.” (Bolger, 1). Instead of continuing to run the same plan, Schlieffen was overconfident that he wanted to design a new plan for Germany. For example, before World War I began, Germany was successful in battles such as “smashing the Danes in 1864, the Austrians in 1866, and the French in 1870-71.” (Bolger, 1). Schlieffen was successful as a Chief and General Staff. Alfred Von Schlieffen was a former Chief and General Staff of the German Army. Germany produced the idea of the Schlieffen Plan due to Field Marshal Alfred von Schlieffen. The purpose of this plan was for Germany to break up a two-front war between France and Russia. The Schlieffen Plan was an offensive military strategy that contributed to Germany’s defeat in World War I.
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