Concordia Library: World War I: The Schlieffen Plan

Schlieffen Plan Execution in 1914

German army's path in 1914

Background of Schlieffen Plan

In Brief

In 1904, Britain, France, and Russia formed an alliance called the "Triple Entente" as a means to protect their countries from the might of the "Triple Alliance" (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.)

In 1905, German Chief of the General Staff, Count Alfred von Schlieffen devised an operational military plan to be used in any future two-front war against France and Russia. Known as the Schlieffen Plan, the plan's purpose was to defeat France and then Russia.

In 1914, to activate the Schlieffen Plan required the German army to cross neutral Belgium for quick access to Paris. Done on August 3, this German move ultimately brought the British into World War I because Germany's actions violated the 1839 Treaty of London Britain had guaranteed to Belgium.

Schlieffen Plan Required Western Front Approach

This map reflects the original 1905 Schlieffen Plan.

Brown University

Web Rsources

Map showing the planned movements of German forces in the Schlieffen Plan, 1905
National Archives - UK
The Guns of August
Digital History
The Western Front: 1914

Books

Battle : a visual journey through 5,000 years of combat by R.G. Grant
Call Number: OS 355.4 GRA
ISBN: 0756613604
Publication Date: 2005
Chronicles the history of warfare over the course of five thousand years, providing accounts of significant conflicts, generals, weapons, and battles, and includes maps and detailed illustrations.

In Phoenix Center Library

The Battlefields of the First World War: the Unseen Panoramas of the Western Front by by Peter Barton with Jeremy Banning
Call Number: R 940.3 BAR
ISBN: 1845298845
Publication Date: 2008
A comprehensive study of the battlefields of World War I that includes soldier recollections, descriptions of battles, maps, black-and-white photographs, and a DVD with 350 interactive panoramas of the Western Front.
World War I Almanac by by Tom Pendergast and Sara Pendergast
Call Number: R 940.3 PEN
ISBN: 0787654760
Publication Date: 2002
Contains essays that examine twelve elements of World War I, discussing events leading up to the conflict, the start of the war, the first years on the Western front, the expansion of the war, war at sea, the home front, and other topics; and includes photographs, maps, a time line, and research and activities ideas.
World War I Primary Sources by by Tom Pendergast and Sara Pendergast
Call Number: R 940.3 PEN
ISBN: 0787654787
Publication Date: 2002
Provides approximately thirty full or excerpted speeches, diary entries, novels, poems, correspondence, and artwork related to World War I, with information placing each in context.