Student Question
What is the summary of Chapter 1 in Fighting the Great War?
Quick answer:
The first chapter of Michael S. Neiberg's Fighting the Great War describes the German and French war plans at the beginning of World War I, the German invasion of Belgium in 1914, British efforts in Belgium, the unsuccessful French push to regain Alsace and Lorraine, the Battle of the Marne, and the armies' race to the north at the end of 1914.
The first chapter of Michael S. Neiberg's Fighting the Great War is entitled “A Cruel Disillusion” and subtitled “The German Invasion and the Miracle of the Marne.” The chapter begins with an overview of the German war planning in the first weeks of World War I. The Germans thought they would need to defeat France before anyone else, and to do that they would have to go through neutral Belgium. They were also banking on the idea that the British would not join in the fight or could be easily defeated.
The Germans set out for Belgium, which seemed like an easy target, but the Belgians resisted, and their defensive lines proved to be quite strong. The Germans, however, had weaponry that was capable of destroying Belgian fortifications, and Liege surrendered but not until it gave the Germans a strong fight. Namur also surrendered, but the Belgian irregulars continued harassing...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the German lines. The Germans responded withSchrecklichkeit, a fear campaign that targeted civilians.
Meanwhile, Britain had declared war and was preparing to come to Belgium's aid. The Germans believed that the British Expeditionary Force was a non-issue, and indeed, it did have a weak leader in Field Marshal Sir John French. Nevertheless, the British hurried toward the Belgian town of Mons and held their line against the Germans at least for a while until French forces unexpectedly withdrew. The British command ordered Horace Smith-Dorrien to retreat from his exposed position, but Smith-Dorrien fought the Battle of Le Cateau instead and gave the British forces time to move back toward Paris.
Unlike the Germans, the French planned a defensive war with the only offensive goal of taking back Alsace and Lorraine, provinces conquered by Germany in 1871. Commander Joseph Joffre led the Battle of the Frontiers to try to attain that goal, but French forces were driven back. They did manage to hold the critical points of Nancy and the Trouee de Charmes, but lost many men in the process and did not regain Alsace or Lorraine.
The Germans, however, began advancing toward Paris from the south and east, but the French discovered the German movement and hurried into position, joined by the British. The Battle of the Marne was hard fought on both sides, with over two million men engaged. The stakes were extremely high. If the Germans won, they would take Paris. If the British and French won, they would push the Germans back across the Marne and save Paris. The British and French were in deep trouble for a while, but then 1,200 brave Paris cab drivers arrived with 5,000 reinforcements (an event called “Miracle of the Marne”), and the French and British managed to hold the Germans back and save Paris.
The Battle of the Marne was followed by a race to the north between the Allies and the Germans as the two sides struck at each other repeatedly. Antwerp, Belgium, fell after a long resistance, but the Allies managed to hold their lines in the Battles of Ypres and Yser. The year 1914 ended with a German occupation of part of France and an uncomfortable position for the Germans, French, and British alike.