However, many long-term causes arose from the consequences of the Schlieffen plans failure. The German inability to control the high seas is a clear reason for her defeat. Neither the allies nor the Germans wanted a war at sea, as the winning navy would gain control of the trade routes & thus would basically end the war, as the losing side would be unable to bring resources in for their army or people. Though the Battle Of Jutland (31st May 1916) was a failure, for even though the British lost more vessels the Germans retreated back to harbour, not to leave for the rest of the war, with no real winner, both sides claimed an equally shared victory. The British navy were also hard at work organising an economic blockade to cut off Germany’s food supply by stopping neutral ships and confiscating cargo that could have been taken to Germany. The German reply to the blockade led to the turning point of the war, unable to battle the British on the sea they concentrated on conducting a successful U-Boat campaign to starve the British into submission, by sinking Merchant ships taking supplies to Britain. Yet again, Britain outmanoeuvred a strong German tactic by introducing the Convoy System, a plan devised to stop the sinking of merchant ships by U-Boats, by positioning 4-5 British Frigates around the merchant ship to take the blow, therefore Germany’s attempts to starve Britain into submission was unsuccessful.
With long-term causes to the German defeat there are ultimately short term causes. One of these was the Sinking of the British passenger liner The Lusitania by a German U-Boat in May 1915. Of the one thousand, two hundred victims that perished, one hundred & thirty nine were American, causing public outcry, in part because the Germans had medals struck to commemorate the sinking. At this stage the United States were adamant not to become involved in the war. The USA had severed diplomatic relations with Germany on 3rd February 1917 after discovering they were trying to recruit Mexican assistance should the US join the war against Germany. War was declared on 2nd April 1917 however, American troops didn’t land in France until spring 1918 almost a year after war was declared. Even though it’s military role was small, it’s role as a supplier of food & equipment to the allies was an important one & had it not become involved The Allies would have certainly have lost the war. Another short-term cause was the failure of Operation Michael a product of the Ludendorf offensive; this was a last gasp gamble for German victory in 1918, devised by Quartermaster Erich Ludendorf. It involved bombarding the British trenches mixing high explosives and poisonous gasses, elite storm troops went forward, avoiding strong points, they headed for the rear, leaving the mopping up to the conventional infantry. September 1918 saw the Hindenburg line broken by the Allied forces.
Tomorrow we are to take part in the greatest and most important battle that we have yet been in, for we are to assault the Hindenburg Line, the famous trench system that the Germans have boasted is impregnable.
- Diary entry, Captain Francis Fairweather, 28 September 1918.
The Hindenburg line was seen by many as the German strong point in the trenches. It consisted of three, well built & extremely well defended trenches; throughout September 1918, Australian forces had helped the British secure positions from which an attack on the Hindenburg line could be launched. Planning began for a large attack & the Generals hoped this attack would finally break the power of the German army. On 29 September, the line was finally broken. Australian and spearheaded this battle, given the task of breaking defences in the centre. They attacked a strongly defended sector at Bellicourt with , artillery, and aircraft working in concert. Advances were made, but it was a struggle between the two forces. The fighting lasted four days and resulted in heavy losses but the British came out on top.
October 1918 saw the mutiny of the German Navy at Kiel. Admirals planned a last offensive on the British blockade that was starving out the nation. The sailors viewed this mission as suicidal and claimed command over the ships, Officers were killed and Naval Boats were captured. This was the final nail in the coffin for a German victory on the Western front.
The amnesty was eventually signed on 11 November 1918, which introduced the Treaty of Versailles and ended the war, whilst Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated 17 days later on 28th November & fled to Holland thus ending the reign of Kaisers in Germany.
In answer to the question, I believe the answer is no. The Schlieffen plan was not the sole cause of the German defeat on the Western Front in 1918. The plan failed on 11 September 1914 whereas the war ended on 11 November 1918, exactly four years & three months after the plan failed. However, the consequences of the failed plan led to many long & short-term causes that further led to the demise of the Germans on the Western Front from 1914-1918.
