1. Trenches and Battles Recap

2. Schlieffen Plan What was the purpose of the Schlieffen Plan?
What was its strategy?
Why did it fail?

3. Purpose? Germans get to France through Belgium Capture Paris
Then look towards Russia

4. What was the strategy?

5. Strategy
need to defeat France within six weeks before Russia mobilised her troops
As most of the French army was stationed on the border with Germany
The Germans did not believe that Britain would go to war over their 1839 treaty with Belgium, which they described as a 'scrap of paper'.
Even if Britain did defend Belgium, the Kaiser believed that there was no need to fear the British Expeditionary Force, which he called a 'contemptible little army'.
Having defeated France, Germany would then be able to concentrate her efforts on defeating the Russians in the east rather then having to fight on two fronts at once.

7. Why did it fail?

8. Why did it fail?
The plan relied upon rapid movement. The resistance of the Belgians and the British Army prevented this – exhausted German troops
Russia mobilised its troops quicker than expected. Within 10 days the Russians had invaded Germany, which meant that the Germans had to switch troops away from western Europe to hold up the Russian invasion
Both sides now had to secure the land that they held.
Trenches were dug and machine-gun posts erected. From now until 1918, neither side would advance more than 10 miles forward or backwards from the positions they now held.

10. Battles 101
Review

11. The 2nd Battle of Ypres 1915 Canadians, French and British vs. Germans
New Tech: Gas – as new weapon
Gas takes out French and Canadians step in – hold the line for 2 days - First experience at for Canadian soldiers – reality sets in - ends in stalemate
Canadians earn respect

12. Battle of the Somme Big push for British Took way longer than expected
men killed in one day
New tech: tanks
High casualty little progress
“Over the top” strategy didn’t work
Germans were prepared hiding in bunkers
Greatest failure

13. The Battle of Vimy Ridge
Solo Canadians
Vimy Ridge – strategic point
Symbol of Canadian pride, start of Canadian nationalism – used new strategy – tunnels, prepared, well equipped
Big victory
Julien Byng – promoted

14. Passchendaele British Empire vs. Germans
Took over small Belgian village
Use same tactic as Vimy – but didn’t work because of the terrible muddy conditions
Allies won – heavy loss, not much to gain
Symbol of futility of war