How Close The Schlieffen Plan Came To Success

How Close The Schlieffen Plan Came To Success The  Schlieffen Plan was a strategic plan produced by the  German General Staff in the early 20th century. The plan was designed to deal with the threat of encirclement, as Germany had France  to the west and  Russia  to the east. The plan was put into action during the opening of The  First World War  in which Germany had to fight on both a  Western Front  and an  Eastern Front. The plan was designed to take advantage of the difference in time that it would take each of the three countries to mobilise for war. The thinking behind the plan was for Germany to avoid a  two front war  by focusing their armies in the west, quickly defeating the French forces as they had done in the franco-prussian war and then to move its armies using its internal rail network to the east, to deal with the Russian forces before they had time to mobilize fully. The Schlieffen Plan was created by Count  Alfred von Schlieffen  and modified by  Helmuth von Moltke the Younger   after Schlieffens retirement (1). The plan was actually used by Moltke, and, in its modified form, was executed to near victory in the first months of the First World War. However several factors, including the modifications to the original plan; a French counterattack on the outskirts of  Paris  (the  Battle of the Marne); and surprisingly speedy Russian offensives, prevented the plan from reaching its conclusion, thus ending the German offensive, and resulting in prolonged  trench warfare. After the  Franco-Prussian War  of 1870, the province of  Alsace-Lorraine, which had been French and contained a mixed population of French and Germans, had become part of the  German Empire. France was clearly eager to regain its lost territory. However because of  Bismarcks alliances, (2) France was unable to threaten Germany, once  Kaiser Wilhelm II  took the throne in 1888 he began to let the alliances slip and German leaders began to fear encirclement. The first element of the plan involved Germany quickly deploying its forces as well as ignoring the neutrality of  Luxembourg, Belgium  and the Netherlands. The strategic element of the plan was the powerful German right wing moving southwest through Belgium and Northern France, letting the last man on the right, brush the Channel with his sleeve,  in the words of Schlieffen (2), while maintaining only a defensive posture on the central and left wings, in  Lorraine, the  Vosges, and the  Moselle. As previously mentioned, Russian mobilization was thought to take around six weeks, this time was largely due to Russias poor rail network. Therefore after France was defeated within the scheduled forty two days, German high command  would transfer the bulk of the German army to the  Eastern Front. The plan initially deployed 91% of the German troops to France and only 9% to Russia. The goal was to overwhelm France in six weeks, (the time it took for Russia to mobilize its army), and turn back to the Eastern Front before Russia was fully prepared for war. Kaiser Wilhelm II is quoted as having said Paris for lunch, dinner at St. Petersburg.(7) However the German offensive was not successful and we can identify seven major reasons that the Schlieffen Plan failed these are: The effectiveness of the  British Expeditionary Force: The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was small compared to the vast armies being mobilised by France and German the total number of Tommys was only 75,000 at the beginning of the war. The French amassed millions of troops, and their aim was to use this number to push the German invasion back quickly and retake  Alsace. To this end, the French commander-in-chief  Joseph Joffre  deployed the small but highly professional BEF on the left flank, where it was thought that there would be no combat. However because of the spped at which the German forces advanced through Belgium, the British were nearly routed several times (3), but they managed to hold-up the Germans long enough for French and British reinforcements to arrive. While the BEF was forced to draw back throughout the month of August, it provided enough resistance against the  German First Army  under  Alexander von Kluck  to help encourage the German general to break off the Plan. Instead, von Kluck turned south- east towards  Compià ¨gne, showing his flank to the Garrison of Paris under  Gallieni, making possible the Miracle of the Marne. (5) The speed of Russian mobilization: The Russians moved faster than anyone expected, taking ground in  Eastern Germany  far quicker than the Germans had thought possible. While the initial Russian invasion was little more than harassment, had the Germans not moved forces to check them they would have come dangerously close to  Berlin. To prevent this Germans moved more troops from the western front to the east. This However was unnecessary and counterproductive as while the forces moved away from the Western Front were still being transported the  German forces in the east won the victory at Tannenberg in early September 1914, while at the same time battles on the Western front were going badly for Germany.(6) The French railway system: Because the Germans had been held up by the British and Belgians, the French had more time to organise and transport troops from the border to Alsace-Lorraine. The Germans had not accounted for how quickly the French would be able to do this, This resulted in the Germans encountering a very differently organised French deployment than the one they were expecting The French moved most of their troops by train, although there are reports of the French using taxis and marching large numbers of troops to get them into position in time. All of this meant that by the time the Germans got into France, the French were there waiting for them. Logistical shortcomings: van Creveld says that (7) Schlieffen does not appear to have devoted much attention to logistics when he evolved his great Plan. He well understood the difficulties likely to be encountered, but made no systematic effort to solve them. Had he done so, he might well have reached the conclusion that the operation was impracticable. Moltke did much to improve the logistic side of the plan. Under his direction, the problem was seriously studied for the first time and officers trained in the techniques of warfare Moltke did indeed make a number of alternations to the plan. From a simply logistical perspective, some of these changes were for the better, but most were detrimental to the cohesiveness of the plan was a complete stratagy. Creveld concludes that, overall, the logistical shortcomings of the plan did not contribute to the German defeat on the Marne.However had the  battle  gone in Germanys favour there is every reason to believe that the advance would have petered out. The prime factors would have b een the inability of the railheads to keep up with the advance, the lack of fodder, and sheer exhaustion. In this sense, but no other, it is true to say that the Schlieffen Plan was logistically impracticable. In van Crevelds view(7) the layout of the plan was did not have the necessary standard of thoroughness and detailed planning that was thought to be the hallmark of the German General Staff, but by  an ostrich-like refusal on Schlieffens part to face even those problems which, after forty years of peace, could be foreseen.  Although Moltke did improve the logistical elements of the plan to take into account modern communications technology., it was not the execution of carefully laid plans which allowed the German advance to enjoy the successes that it did, but  furious improvisation (7) That the German Army performed as well as it did when the orders they were receiving were so contradictory and unclear is testament as to what a formidable military force they really were. Moltkes changes to the plan: Chief of the General Staff Helmuth von Moltke altered several elements of the Schlieffen Plan, firstly he reinforced the east with 180,000 men from the right-wing armies to defend against Russia this watered down the invasion force in favour of a more secure eastern border. Moltke was also opposed to the idea of invading the neutral Netherlands in order to provide his armies with a route through to France. The result of this was that his forces were held up in Belgium and this resulted in the breakdown of the whole schedule that the plan was meant to follow. Moltke also moved more troops from his right wing to his left as he was worried that Allied troops could threaten Germany. In the original plan Schlieffen wanted to provide the opportunity for invading armies to threaten Germany before they were enveloped, as this would provide a political victory as well as a military one. This shift of man power became a problem, because the German left flank was now pushing the French back rat her than luring them away from Paris. This meant that the French forces were much closer to the action than was intended and they were condensed rather than spread out. Moltke also sent 80,000 troops to the east to defend against the Russian invasion. In the end Moltke had shifted 250,000 men away from the right wing invasion force watering the assault down to such a point that he had no choice but to abandon the Schlieffen Plan. The French were beaten back by the strongly reinforced left German armies of close to  Sarrebourg; the French forces pulled back and took up defensive positions in the hills near the city of Nancy(5). Instead of avoiding them and enveloping the French armies and Paris as the plan dictated. German high command chose to assault their heavily defended positions around Nancy. This offensive was a total failure. Belgian resistance: Even though the forces defending Belgium were only ten percent of the size of the invading German army, they still managed to hold the German forces up for almost a month, the Belgians quickly lost their forts and military strongholds but they continued to fight in an almost guerrilla style, constantly threatening German supply lines in the North. Also the fact the Germany had invaded Belgium turned European public opinion against them. German underestimation of the British-Belgian alliance: Britain and Belgium were in an alliance because of the  London Treaty that was signed in 1839.(3) Germany did not believe that Britain would keep to the treaty and defend Belgium. The British did keep to their word and surprised Germany by entering the war. This meant that Germany would have to contend with the royal navy and the highly effective BEF in the war. What actually happened was the opposite of what the plan intended (1) because Russia fell before France. The Russian army was defeated with very little cost to the Germans and Russia was forced out of the war before the western front was resolved. Meanwhile the Western front had huge amounts of manpower poured into it feeding the war of attrition that was taking place. The stalemate began to break in the summer of 1918 when Italy finally managed to defeat  Austria-Hungary, and forced them to withdraw from the war. This meant that Germanys southern flank was exposed. The defeat and withdrawal of  Bulgaria  also made Germany venerable to an Allied advance up the  Danube. In 1917 the United States entered the war and brought with it a substantial amount of troops, this meant that Germanys final push in 1918 was defeated and the allies were able to push the Germans out of France and into Belgium and then back towards the German border. Once it became clear that western front was lost, Germany requested terms and the First World War came to a close. There is no denying that the plan came close to success but with so many factors weighted against it and the poor decisions made German high command in regards to the plans execution. the Schlieffen Plan was never going to win the war for Germany. Moltkes fear of Russia proved unfounded and his changes in deployment unnecessary. If these changes had not been made then the plan may have enjoyed more successes as it was the Germans did not have the man power to build on their initial gains and therefore had to retreat. The plan itself however has merit and I think that its fair to say if the execution of the plan had not been watered down so much by Moltke and Schlieffens original plan was stuck to then France may well have fallen and the thin line that separated defeat from victory would have been crossed by the Germans.

The Philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

The Philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and FÃ ©lix Guattari ABSTRACT: In academic philosophy the writings of Gilles Deleuze and FÃ ©lix Guattari are still treated as curiosities and their importance for philosophical discussions is not recognized. In order to remedy this, I demonstrate how the very concept of philosophy expounded by the two contributes to philosophical thinking at the end of the twentieth century while also providing a possible line of thought for the next millenium. To do this, I first emphasize the influence of Deleuze's thinking, while also indicating the impact Guattari had on him. This account will therefore show Deleuze's attempts before Guattari to concieve of a non-dialectic philosophy of becoming. I will turn to rethink this approach given the influence of Guattari and his anti-psychoanalytic analysis of territorial processes. The result is a conception of philosophical activity as an act of 'becoming minor'.(1) 1. Introduction In the following I would like to talk about a topic that has been treated very little in academic philosophy. The works of GILLES DELEUZE - and not to forget his co-author, FÉLIX GUATTARI - are still treated as 'curiosities' and their importance for philosophical discussions is not recognized. (2) In opposition to this, I will show what the very concept of philosophy means to these two thinkers. In doing this I will start with the more theoretical backround. As many others have already I will stress the decisive influence of DELEUZE'S thinking, but I will also try to indicate the impact GUATTARI had on him. This account will therefore show DELEUZE'S attempts - before GUATTARI - to concieve of a non-dialectic philosophy of becoming. After that I will turn to the rethinking of such an approach given the influence of GUATTARI and his anti-psychoanalytic analysis of territorial processes. The outcome will be the resulting conception of the philosophical activity as an act of 'becoming-minor'. 2. GILLES DELEUZE Philosophy of Difference - Against Dialectics GILLES DELEUZE'S early philosophy is dominated by the project of attaining a kind of philosophy that can be characterized best by naming its very enemy: dialectics. Whether as a 'school' of philosophy (including the leading figures in France, KOJÈVE and SARTRE) or as an ontological approach to the world itself, which implies - no matter if in the Hegelian or Platonic version - a fundamental dualism. (In PLATO the difference between the sensual and intellectual world, in HEGEL'S dialectics the 'sublation' [Aufhebung] of real differences in the world through the synthesizing faculty of the mind qua negation).

Burn (Quemada)

The 1969 movie released in early January 1970, directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, with Marlon Brando, Evaristo Marquez, Norman Hill, Renato Salvatori as main cast is a story of an organized slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Quemada. Burn is known as one of the greatest movies made on the topic of colonialism. Initially the movie had Spaniards in control of sugar trade in the island but had to change it to Portuguese after Spain objected to it. The colonist rulers are shown to be in control of the profitable sugar plantation and trade at Quemada wiping out all the rebellious elements that hindered their activities.The local workers at the plantation are replaced with black slaves imported from Africa to curtail the indigenous uprising. The most important is the role of a foreigner manipulator, the British Sir William Walker, shown as an expert getting paid for creating war. The scenes are set in 1845 Caribbean island of Quemada where the British government sends a mercenary, Sir Will iam Walker (Marlon Brando) for disrupting the Portuguese monopoly of sugar plantation in the colony.He also approaches some of the influential person on the island like businessman, Teddy Sanchez (Renato Salvatori) and also petty laborer, Jose Dolores (Evaristo Marquez), a porter at the dock. Since most of the local businessmen are found interested in getting rid of the ruling Portuguese and are thus evoked by Walker to overthrow the ruling regime. Initially Walker persuades Dolores to organize a bank theft and kill several Portuguese soldiers. Following which Dolores forms a band of dacoits that is joined by many slaves from the local plantation.On the other hand, Walker persuades Teddy to overthrow the Portuguese governor and liberate the island. Many of the local white population support the revolt too. The revolt ends successfully and slaves return to plantations. Walker later returns to England after completing his mission. Ten years later, Walker is contacted again by British Sugar Company complaining about Dolores interfering with the local businessmen. This time Walker is called to end the rebellion led by Dolores. This time he returns to the island leading the British against the rebel Dolores, whom he himself created ten years back.His other old acquaintance, businessman Teddy Sanchez is now the governor of the island. Teddy reacting to Sir Walker’s callous tactics gets killed in return and replaced by a military dictatorship. Walker also detains Dolores and asks him to leave the island. Dolores instead prefers to face execution and die for his cause. In the end, the situation comes under control of the British and everything seems to get in order. To everyone’s surprise, Walker gets killed by a petty dock porter while leaving the island. The movie is full of intrigues, secretive plots, dirty manipulation and rebellious warfare.The main character, Sir William Walker is shown always busy cheating all the groups on the island. With his ex ceptional craftiness, Walker successfully turns a simple dock porter into a rebel. He meticulously persuades him to indulge in a bank robbery and successive massacre of the troops after which he foresees his logical transformation towards revolt. Along side, Walker warns the white plantation owners about the suspected indigenous uprising and provokes them to curb it well before time. He thus works to ignites and keeps the flame of war burning throughout the movie.The struggle brings nothing for either party but to place the island in hands of the British, Walker’s ultimate motive. The movie clearly shows the motives of the business class, who in collaboration with the army exploits and deprives the peasant of their due rights. Burn is a real colonist political show, a well produced Italian historical drama on 112 minutes of deluxe color, has been Brando’s best in the late 60s. The film is a fascinating piece of cinematic art and a good watch. Reference Pontecorvo, Gill o. Burn (Quemada). 1969 (Release Jan 1970). Les Productions Artistes Associes P. E. A. France

Artificial Intelligence and Video Games Essay - 1622 Words

What if someone told you that those turtles in Mario or the computer opponent in Pong had their own â€Å"brain† and that they are able to think and do things like humans do? What if you were told that we can create these brains and apply them to many other video game antagonists, like the ghosts from Pac Man or even the opposing team in Madden? These â€Å"artificial brains† are a product of a technology called artificial intelligence (AI). AI in video games can be applied to nearly anything, such as a boss as big as a city to a bird soaring in the sky. They are used to create a sense of realism in what that item in the game would actually do in real life. AI uses many sets of complex algorithms and sequences to create relationships between†¦show more content†¦After understanding the behaviors of one type of opponent in a game, the player should be able to guess what all the other opponents of the same type will do ,which will give gamers an edge when they pr ogress through levels. This same thing can be applied to more complex AI. More complex AI can be seen from the introduction of open-world games. These games have no linear stage progression like Megaman and Mario, but are more free in terms of what the player wants to do. They are able to free-roam around the part of the map they are in and never have to go through the main storyline missions to keep playing. With this wide open, no rules type of environment the type of AI will have to be smarter than just moving back and forth. More complex AI’s could be able to react to lights the player shines as they navigate through dark areas, the sound they make as they scuffle through the grass or even smells your character in-game may currently be giving off (Lane, What Ever Happened to Video Game AI?). This will give players a more immersive experience while playing video games and make them feel that what they do actually has importance to the success of a mission. 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From first-person shooters to role-playing games, the video game industry has became accessible to nearly every kind of player, whether it be a person who enjoys invigorating storytelling, or somebody who just wants to reduce armies into nothing more than bloody shrapnel. â€Å"†¦developing a ‘major’ game title can be a significant task – writers, game designers, sound designers, visual artists and more