Final answer:
The Schlieffen Plan was designed to quickly defeat France by attacking through Belgium, allowing German forces to then confront Russia, aligning with Kaiser Wilhelm II's strategy for a swift victory in a two-front war. Setbacks, including Belgian resistance, rapid Russian mobilization, and reallocation of forces, hindered its success. The plan's partial execution at the Battle of Tannenberg showed a momentary win but led to a weakened offensive in the west.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Schlieffen Plan was intricately connected to Kaiser Wilhelm II's military objectives during the buildup to World War I, reflecting Germany's strategic preparation for a two-front war. Intending to prevent a prolonged war on both its eastern and western fronts, Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm II developed a proactive strategy to quickly knock France out of the conflict. This plan relied on the assumption of slow Russian mobilization. The aim was to swiftly defeat France by circumventing its strong border defenses and going through Belgium instead, followed by redirecting the troops to the eastern front against Russia. This execution could lead to a victorious position for Germany before the full power of the Russian army could be brought to bear.
Despite the meticulous planning, the implementation faced setbacks. Belgian resistance, unforeseen rapid Russian mobilization, and needed troop redeployment resulted in initial delays and deviations from the original plan. The Battle of Tannenberg, where German troops were victorious over the Russians, exemplified a temporary success of the plan as it diverted the menace from the east. However, the crucial weakening of forces in the west contributed to Germany's inability to capture Paris quickly and secure a fast victory over France, thus undermining the central aim of the Schlieffen Plan and Kaiser Wilhelm's objectives.