The Schlieffen Plan was created in 1905 by Count Alfred von Schlieffen to ensure German victory over France and Russia in a potential war. The plan aimed to knock France out quickly by attacking Paris with an overwhelming force of 90% of the German army within six weeks, while defending against Russia with the remaining 10%. However, the plan failed because Schlieffen underestimated the Russian army and how quickly it could mobilize, and there were not enough German troops left on the borders to hold back the Russian advance.

1. Schlieffen Plan
Jordan, Gabe & Tara

2. Who created the Schlieffen Plan?
• Count Alfred von
Schlieffen in 1905
• Born in Berlin on
February 28, 1833
• Joined the army in 1854
• Had been in two wars,
the Austro Prussian War
of 1866 and the Franco-
Prussia War of 1871

3. What did the plan do?
• Was a plan intended to ensure German
victory over the Franco-Russian alliance
• The idea was to knock France out of the
war in six weeks with an attack on Paris
using overwhelming forces.
• The attack on Paris used 90% of the
German army
• The remaining 10% of the army was left to
defend their home country

4. The Invasion Plan

5. Why did it fail?
• Schlieffen underestimated the Russian
army-
– he believed the Russian army would need a
long time to effectively organize an army and
that they were short of supplies
• The plan failed due to a shortage of troops
on the German borders, leaving leeway to
the Russian armies to attack and push the
German troops out

6. The German Army