The Schlieffen Plan was Germany's strategy for fighting a war on two fronts by quickly defeating France first before sending troops to fight Russia in the east. Germany invaded Belgium as part of the plan to outflank French defenses, but this caused Britain to declare war on Germany due to Belgium's neutrality, drawing more nations into the growing conflict of World War I.

2.  The Schlieffen Plan
was Germany’s main
strategy for World War
I.
 The intention of the
Schlieffen Plan was
that Germany would
avoid fighting a war on
two fronts.

3.  Germany thought they
could potentially have
to fight both Russia
and France at the
same time.
 They did not want to
fight on an eastern
front and a western
front.
West
East

4. 1. A large part of the German army would race
into France. The remaining army would go
to Russia.
2. Defeat France.
3. Rush east and defeat Russia.
4. VICTORY!

5.  France had
already heavily
mobilized along
their border with
Germany.
 Germany
demanded that
their troops pass
through the neutral
country of Belgium
 Belgium said no,
Germany did it
anyway.
Hey Belgium,
can my military
take a stroll
through your
country?
No
way!

6. Bad Germany!

8.  Britain had close ties
with Belgium.
 When Germany
invaded Belgium
Britain declared war on
Germany.

9. Allies
 Great Britain
 Russia
 France
 Japan (a few weeks
later)
 Italy (nine months later,
claimed joining the Triple
Alliance was a defensive
strategy)
 United States (wait for
it)
Central Powers
 Germany
 Austria – Hungary
 Italy (but they switched)
 Bulgaria
 Ottoman Empire (later
to try and regain lost
territories).