Schiefflan Plan and Stalemate

• The Schiefflan plan and Stalemate
• Reason 1: The Kaiser’s desire to dominate Europe
• -In 1888 Kaiser Wilhelm II became the leader of Germany-he wanted Germany to become the most powerful nation in Europe
• what was Weltpolitik?


  The Kaiser’s foreign policy-intended to make Germany a major world power by expanding its empire and armed forces- a major European could help him do this
• what was the reason for this?

  Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted a grand strategy to defeat his rivals in Europe
• Reason 2: Franco-Russian Alliance
• -Franco-Russian alliance was formed in 1894 between France and Russia- if either was under attack from Germany, Russia would provide up to 800,000 men and France would provide 1,300,000 men
• -If there was ever a major war in Europe Germany would be fighting on two fronts- in 1815 Napoleon had been defeated by this
• what was the reason for this?

  Germany needed a strategy to defeat its enemies on two fronts
• Reason 3: Confidence of Great Military Command
• -Count Von Schiefflan studied Russia’s failed war against 5he Japanese in 1904-05 and believed they lacked the railways needed to mobilise troops quickly
• -The military tacticians had real confidence a plan could be created to defeat France and force the Russians to sign for peace
• what was the reason for this

  Von Schiefflan’s plan underestimated Russia’s strength