Social Studies 10 Lessons

By: Gen L

Lesson 3.1: The Opening Move

The Schlieffen Plan

• The Germans were faced with a 2 front war with both France & Russia
• Their solution: The Schlieffen Plan
  • The weakest German units hold along the French Border (Rhineland)
  • The strongest German units attack through Belgium, moving quickly to attack Paris from behind.
  • With France defeated, Germany could turn and attack Russia.

Problems with The Schlieffen Plan

• Assumed Belgium would not fight.
  • The Belgians did fight, slowing progress.
• Assumed Britain wouldn't honour a treaty guaranteeing Belgium's neutrality.
  • Britain honoured the treaty, meaning France & Britain would fight together.
• Assumed Russia's mobilisation was slow.
  • Russia mobilised in 10 days.

Results of The Schileffen Plan

• Because of it's shortcomings, the German offensive stalled.
• Faced with a retreat, the Generals insisted on digging defensive trenches to hold parts of France and Belgium they already took.

Lesson 3.2: Trench Warfare

Trench Warfare

• Allies realised they couldn't break through German lines.
• They were forced to dig opposing trenches, often in lowlands.
• Many hit ground water and were very muddy. Allies lived in the worst conditions, with soldiers often getting "Trench Foot".
• Trenches & ground rarely changed hands.
• It became a war of attrition.

WWI Trenches Info

• Trenches were never dug in straight lines.
• There were often three rows of trenches:
  • Front-Line: Limited Protection
  • Support: Supported the Front-Line
  • Reserve: Reserve for any other soldiers
• Machine guns and barbed wire (razor wire) protected the trenches.
• Between them was No Man's Land (churned up by shell fire, masses of mud), which was near impossible to cross.

Next Lesson