Explain how Moltke modified the Schlieffen Plan.

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History Coursework Natalie Underwood L9

  1. Explain how Moltke modified the Schlieffen Plan.

The original track set for the Schlieffen Plan was to leave from Germany and attack through Lille; travel through France and head for the destination of Paris. Instead they left Germany and diverted to Antwerp. Then through Louvain, onto Channy, stopping for the battle of Mons (August 1914) and Le Cateau (August 1914) and arriving in Chateau-Thierry. That was only one of the five tracks.

        Another way was to attack directly through Dina, then on the Chateau-Thierry. One of the armies was to go through Luxemburg but that was where it finished.        

Von Moltke, aware that the Russians might mobilise quicker than previously expected. Therefore he weakened the right wing by detaching two army corporals from it and sending them to bolster the defence against the Russians on the eastern front. He sent seven divisions of his best troops to guard against a sudden flank attack by Belgian troops from Antwerp and despatched another four to the eastern front to meet Russian forces.

        Moltke was dismissed and replaced by General Erich von Falkenhayn after the Schlieffen plan failed.

        Moltke almost considered abandoning the Schlieffen Plan when he heard that a substantial threat was pointed towards Germany in the east; two mass Russian armies were advancing towards the Germans. Moltke only considered abandoning the plan in order to transfer more troops to the eastern front.

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  1. a) What was the nickname commonly used to describe the troops of the British Expeditionary Force?

The nickname commonly used to describe the troops of the ‘British Expeditionary Force’ was ‘General French’s Contemptible Little Army’.

               b) How does Source D help you to reach your answer to (a)?

Source C helps you to reach your answer to (a) because, we were told that General French was the British General and that was being called ‘contemptible little army’ which made me come to the conclusion of the nickname

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