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To: Mark17

The Schlieffen Plan was devised nine years before WWI started. And what justification was there for violating Belgium’s neutrality?


17 posted on 02/01/2014 1:44:21 AM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Olog-hai
And what justification was there for violating Belgium’s neutrality?

What was the justification for a "Belgium" to begin with?

28 posted on 02/01/2014 5:05:28 AM PST by Jim Noble (When strong, avoid them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.)
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To: Olog-hai

Germany wanted the railway systems in Belgium to supply their troops as their right wing swept through to sidestep the fortifications and the bulk of the French army in eastern France. When the Belgians refused to grant passage to the Germans they went in anyway. In short, the Belgians were in the way.

It also worthwhile to note that the original plan envisioned violating Dutch neutrality as well but this was eliminated as in a later revision. The German staff figured that they could squeeze the troops through without taking over the Maastricht hook.


51 posted on 02/01/2014 8:52:53 AM PST by 17th Miss Regt
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