The Schlieffen Plan: A Flawed Mastermind Decoded

Unravel the strategic gamble that shaped the opening act of World War I with this engaging reading comprehension activity! Dive into the complexities of the Schlieffen Plan, its intended goals, its critical flaws, and its lasting impact on the course of the war.

Explore the Strategic Gamble:

• Deciphering the Plan: Understand the core elements of the Schlieffen Plan, designed for a swift victory on two fronts.
• The Mind Behind the Maneuver: Discover the strategic thinking of General Alfred von Schlieffen and the reasoning behind his bold approach.
• The Road to Failure: Analyze the miscalculations and unforeseen challenges that led to the plan's downfall.
• The Stalemate and Beyond: Witness the shift from a decisive offensive to the grueling trench warfare that defined WWI.
• Dive into a Primary Source: Analyze an excerpt from General Schlieffen himself, revealing his strategic thinking and the prioritization of defeating France first.

Summary:

This reading comprehension delves into the Schlieffen Plan, a pivotal but ultimately flawed German strategy in World War I. It analyzes the plan's core elements, its intended goals, the critical miscalculations that led to its failure, and the lasting impact on the war's trajectory. Students engage with primary source excerpts, thought-provoking questions, and various answer formats, fostering a deeper understanding of this significant historical event.

Strengthen Critical Thinking Skills:

• Grapple with multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions.
• Utilize a comprehensive answer key for easy assessment.
• Align with essential Common Core State Standards.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the strategic thinking behind the Schlieffen Plan, its intended goals, and the reasoning for prioritizing the Western Front.
• Evaluate the key elements of the plan, including the emphasis on speed, surprise, and the right wing concentration.
• Comprehend the critical miscalculations that contributed to the plan's failure, such as underestimating Russia and the consequences of violating Belgian neutrality.
• Understand the significant impact of the Schlieffen Plan's failure on the broader course of World War I, leading to a prolonged conflict on the Western Front.

Common Core State Standards Addressed:

• RI.6.1, RI.7.1, RI.8.1, RI.9-10.1, RI.11-12.1: Close reading and analysis of informational text.
• RI.6.2, RI.7.2, RI.8.2, RI.9-10.2, RI.11-12.2: Determine central ideas and supporting details.
• RI.6.3, RI.7.3, RI.8.3, RI.9-10.3, RI.11-12.3: Analyze how and why events unfold.
• W.6.2, W.7.2, W.8.2, W.9-10.2, W.11-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts clearly and accurately.

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