Question

How did the Schlieffen Plan support Kaiser Wilhelm’s goals in the quote above?

Answer 1

The Schlieffen Plan aimed to quickly defeat France by advancing through Belgium and then pivot to confront Russia, aligning with Kaiser Wilhelm II's goals of securing swift victories to avoid a prolonged two-front war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Schlieffen Plan was a military strategy devised by the German Empire to counteract its geopolitical situation of potential confrontations on two fronts: east with Russia and west with France. According to the Plan, Germany, anticipating a much slower Russian mobilization, aimed to quickly defeat France by unexpectedly advancing through Belgium, then focus on the eastern threat posed by Russia. The Kaiser Wilhelm II had goals aligned with the Schlieffen Plan in that he sought to secure a swift victory and prevent a dragged-out conflict on multiple fronts.

The assumption was that by swiftly capturing Paris and causing France's surrender, the military would be free to move forces eastwards to confront Russia, whose slow mobilization would give Germany the leverage of time. While the reality diverged – with unexpected Belgian resistance, a faster-than-anticipated Russian mobilization, and a French counterattack – the initial purpose of the Schlieffen Plan was to support Kaiser Wilhelm's strategic objective for a quick and decisive victory, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of a prolonged two-front war.

Answer 2

The Schlieffen Plan’s objective was to launch an attack on France so that they can take the French out and this would force Russia to accept their terms. The problem was that was poorly organized and this led Britain to get involved in the conflict that started World War I.