World War I: From Schlieffen Plan to Trench Warfare

Item 6: The First World War

The Quick War: 1914

Germany quickly took the initiative in the war to implement its plan of attack, the Schlieffen Plan. The Schlieffen Plan was to throw the army into France through two neutral countries (Belgium and Luxembourg), thus avoiding the iron French defenses along the common border, and could surprise the French army. Meanwhile, the Austro-Hungarian and German side would slow the Russians, taking advantage of the expected slow mobilization. Once France was defeated, all German forces would be launched on Russia, attacking first the Western Front and then the East.

But something went wrong with this plan. In the first phase of the campaign against France, the Allies managed to retreat in a certain order. And in the second phase (directed by General Joffre), the Germans were forced to retreat. The Russians attacked East Prussia but were defeated at the Battle of Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes. This had forced the German command to send some troops from France to the Eastern Front, and therefore, France could not fight on two fronts.

War of Positions and Wear (1915 and 1916)

• In this war, the armies were defending their positions.
• A whole new system of war (The Trench).

The Trench

• A front was relatively small, as was that of France.
• Allowed to organize an almost impenetrable defense system.
• Required new weapons (poison gas, aircraft, tank, submarine).

• In the summer of 1915, the Central Powers allies decided to attack and drove the Russians 500 km.
• Also, in 1915, Italy entered the war (with the Allies) and Bulgaria (with the Central Powers).
• The year 1915 had a favorable balance for the Central Powers.
• The year 1916 witnessed fierce attempts to achieve victory by both sides.

Battle of Verdun

• Initiated by the Germans to drain the French.
• Lasted 4 months.
• Half a thousand men died.

Battle of Somme

• Initiated by the Allies against the Germans.
• Lasted 3 months.

Battle of Jutland

• Germany attacked the British fleet but withdrew due to the obvious superiority of the UK.
• The only naval battle of the war.

The balance of the campaign of 1916 was more balanced.