Which statement best describes the Schlieffen Plan?

Which statement best describes the Schlieffen Plan?

• A. A German plan to invade France by attacking through Belgium.
• B. An invasion of France through direct frontal assault on Paris.
• C. An expedition to Britain by sea from Germany.
• D. An attack on Russia through the Baltic States.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is recognizing that the Schlieffen Plan aimed to knock France out quickly by moving through Belgium, not by a direct push into Paris. Germany planned to outflank the French defenses along the Franco-German border by sweeping through neutral Belgium and northern France, seize Paris, and then turn to face Russia. This emphasis on speed, surprise, and a western route through Belgium is why the statement describing an invasion of France through Belgium best captures the plan. The other options don’t fit: a direct frontal assault on Paris wasn’t the plan; an invasion of Britain by sea was not part of Schlieffen; and attacking Russia through the Baltic states isn’t what the plan proposed.

The key idea here is recognizing that the Schlieffen Plan aimed to knock France out quickly by moving through Belgium, not by a direct push into Paris. Germany planned to outflank the French defenses along the Franco-German border by sweeping through neutral Belgium and northern France, seize Paris, and then turn to face Russia. This emphasis on speed, surprise, and a western route through Belgium is why the statement describing an invasion of France through Belgium best captures the plan. The other options don’t fit: a direct frontal assault on Paris wasn’t the plan; an invasion of Britain by sea was not part of Schlieffen; and attacking Russia through the Baltic states isn’t what the plan proposed.