The Implementation of the Schlieffen Plan

• Germany also sent an ultimatum to France which they hoped would encourage the view that Germany was acting defensively
• Germany demanded that France make no military preparations and that they hand over the fortresses of Toul and Verdun, that were on the border of Germany, until the defeat of Russia was complete
• Germany did not expect or want France to yield if the Schlieffen plan was to be successful

  • In order to make war against Russia effectively France had to be totally defeated
• Germany’s ultimatum was ignored and they declared war on France on 3rd August 1914

  • Germany claimed that France had bombed Nuremburg in order to keep their pretence of fighting defensively alive