Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

why a stalemate grew on the western front

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

In the First World War, there were a number of reasons why a stalemate grew on the western front. Firstly, there was unexpected Belgian resistance. The Kaiser of Germany expected no resistance from Belgium and expected Belgium to let Germany's army through without confrontation. When the German army advanced into Belgium, they faced opposition from the Belgians. If a Belgian was to shoot at one person at the front, it had a chain reaction effect on the rest of the army. This then disrupted plans of defeating France quickly and the element of surprise was lost. This helped to create a stalemate because it gave time for the French to prepare for the German attack and the BEF also had time to deploy in Belgium. ...read more.

Middle

At Ypres, the British made a stand to stop the 'hook' attack of the plan. This forced Germans to head straight for Paris and abandon the 'hook' attack, but the French were ready for them. A further assumption was that France would be defeated easily. The French were ready for the German attack and were equipped with modern technology such as machine guns. This modern technology was suited to defensive tactics rather than attacking, so the casualty rates on both sides fell. Because the German army marched in a groups of 100's they were mowed down by the French. This helped to create a stalemate because the German army fled to safety when confronted with machine guns. ...read more.

Conclusion

When Von Kluck realised that the Schlieffen plan would not work, he ordered the army to head straight for Paris and abandon the hook strategy. The German army met French defences at Marne. This was where stalemate occurred. Trenches were first dug at Aisne to protect themselves and also to hold onto enemy land that had been invaded. Both sides dug trenches and expanded them. In my opinion the main reason for stalemate is the extra resistance from Belgium and the BEF. I think this because if Belgium had not resisted then the German army would have advanced into France and invaded Paris. France would not have been ready for the German army and would have been easily slaughtered. Also, the BEF would not have joined the opposition and slowed down the attack on France. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level International History, 1945-1991 section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level International History, 1945-1991 essays

  1. Explain how the Schlieffen Plan was meant to work?

    He is saying this because his not sure that they can win this war, and wants to warn the nation that soldiers are going to die; so they aren't shocked when there's a massive number of dead soldiers. Source B is written after the first day of attack; his is

  2. The Breaking of Stalemate on the Western Front.

    The Air Service was also used extensively here. The Meuse-Argonne area was a very difficult one to attack. To the east was the Meuse River and to the west was the Argonne forest. The river was bordered by high, wooded hills and the Argonne was also hilly and forested.

  1. The failure of the Schlieffen Plan - Stalemate.

    Attempts to break the stalemate 1915 - Ypres - April to May 1915 - unsuccessful German attempt to push allies out Belgium * Resulted in a salient being created and loss of 50,000 British lives ? determination to keep Ypres * 22 April - Germans use of Chlorine gas against

  2. Account for the development of stalemate on the Western Front by the end of ...

    also accelerated the whole tempo of the crisis in Eastern Europe and went far to make a peaceful solution impossible." Moltke's tactical flaws were made most obvious when he transferred two army corps from the German right wing and sent them to the exposed Russian Front, further weakening the army in the west and preventing the German advance.

  1. The First World War - questions and answers on the Schlieffen plan, and the ...

    The stalemate became enforced with the new weapons which were being introduced on both sides, making armies stronger for defence rather than attack, such as when gas warfare began in 1915, until it was necessary for people to carry gas masks.

  2. How important was Haig's tactics on the Western Front in bringing an end to ...

    Obviously, this would suggest a disadvantage in that he would not know what conditions and circumstances he'd be sending his men into. However, it was known that Haig was not a very good at oral communication, so it could be argued that his Officers sending out the message to the men on the frontline would possibly make his intentions clearer.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work