Schlieffen Plan AP History Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🗺️ The Schlieffen Plan was a German General Staff thought-experiment and operational plan to defeat France and Russia in a two-front war.
• 🗓️ Devised in 1905 by Alfred von Schlieffen, Chief of the German General Staff.
• ⚔️ The plan involved a massive German offensive through neutral Belgium to quickly defeat France, followed by turning to face Russia.
• ⏳ The key was speed: Germany needed to defeat France in approximately 6 weeks.
• ⚠️ The plan's failure in 1914 led to the prolonged stalemate of World War I.
• 📜 Modifications by Helmuth von Moltke the Younger weakened the plan, contributing to its failure.
• 🛡️ The plan assumed a slow Russian mobilization.

Practice Quiz

1. Which country did the Schlieffen Plan call for Germany to invade first?
   1. A. Russia
   2. B. Belgium
   3. C. Austria-Hungary
   4. D. Great Britain
2. What was the primary goal of the Schlieffen Plan?
   1. A. To establish German colonies in Africa
   2. B. To quickly defeat France and then turn to Russia
   3. C. To form an alliance with Great Britain
   4. D. To provoke a war with the United States
3. Who devised the original Schlieffen Plan?
   1. A. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger
   2. B. Otto von Bismarck
   3. C. Alfred von Schlieffen
   4. D. Erich Ludendorff
4. What was a critical assumption of the Schlieffen Plan regarding Russia?
   1. A. Russia would immediately launch a massive offensive
   2. B. Russia would remain neutral
   3. C. Russia would mobilize slowly
   4. D. Russia would seek peace negotiations
5. What was a major factor contributing to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan?
   1. A. The unexpected strength of the British Royal Navy
   2. B. Modifications to the plan by Helmuth von Moltke the Younger
   3. C. The alliance between Germany and Italy
   4. D. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
6. Approximately how long did the Schlieffen Plan estimate it would take to defeat France?
   1. A. 2 weeks
   2. B. 6 weeks
   3. C. 3 months
   4. D. 1 year
7. What was the strategic significance of Belgium in the Schlieffen Plan?
   1. A. Belgium was a strong military power
   2. B. Belgium's neutrality provided a route to bypass French defenses
   3. C. Belgium was an ally of Germany
   4. D. Belgium controlled key naval bases