Why did a stalemate occur on the Western Front?

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Why did a stalemate occur on the Western Front?

“It was the failure of the Schlieffen Plan in 1914 that led to the creation of stalemate on the Western Front” (Webb). The German offensive; Schlieffen plan failed due to differences in the way the plan was performed compared to the way the plan was actually planned. Problems led to battles, which lead to defeats for the Germans and eventually the forced abandonment (due to failure) of the Schlieffen Plan. As the Germans were defeated they secured some land, ‘dug in’, the trench system was established. New technology such as the innovation of machine guns made frontal attacks very costly, resulting in the advantage to the defender. The result of these trench systems and new innovations were a very defensive war, which turned into the war of attrition, Stalemate was established. The stalemate proved to be an integral part of the warfare for the next 4 years (until 1918).

The Schlieffen plan was aimed at the rapid defeat of France. It was originated in 1905 by German General Von Schlieffen. Germany feared the prospect of a ‘two-front’ war. Fighting France on the Western front and Russia on the east. The plan to knock France out of the war would allow the German armies to concentrate their forces on one front, the Eastern front, as Russia was believed to be a more difficult power.

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The objective of this German offensive was to capture the French capital, Paris, within six weeks. Then Germany would turn against Russia. The plan was to advance troops in a massive ‘hammer-swing’ through neutral Belgium (this would require an exceptionally strong right wing, to sweep around). There would also be a small number of troops used as a hinge in case of counter-attacks. The integral part of this plan was to be sure the ‘hammer-swing’ would move west of Paris and circle the city from the south. When Paris was trapped, the capital would fall and its rich mining ...

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