The French Entry into the War

What made France enter the First World War?

Germany declared war against France as part of the Schlieffen Plan.

When did France join the First World War?

Germany declared war against France on the 3rd August 1914.

Why did France join the First World War?

There were 3 main reasons for France joining the war:

• ❖ The Schlieffen Plan assumed that France must be defeated if war with Russia began. As such Germany would need to declare war against France and defeat it before the Russians were ready to fight.
• ❖ The French Plan 17 involved an immediate attack across the Franco-German border into Alsace-Lorraine. This began the Battle of the Frontiers.
• ❖ The French used their massive fortresses along the border to launch attacks into Germany, while also sending troops to help the Belgian army trying to slow the German invasion of their territory.