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![]() edHelper.com World War I |
The Importance of the Marne River |
| edHelper's suggested reading level: | grades 5 to 7 | |
| Flesch-Kincaid grade level: | 5.99 |
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The Importance of the Marne River
By Jane Runyon |
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1 The Marne River became a focal point of World War I at the beginning of the war and also near the end of the war. The Germans were following a plan, the Schlieffen Plan. This plan set a goal of defeating the French and taking control of their country very early. They felt that a bold move such as this would bring a quick close to the war. In order for the Germans to reach their final target of Paris, they planned to march through Belgium and then cross the Marne River. They expected very little resistance from the Belgians or the French. It was easy to see that the French weren't going to put up much of a fight. Many citizens of Paris left their homes when the first news arrived that the Germans were advancing. The Germans were surprised, however.