1. The Guns of August By Barbara W. Tuchman Chapter 2: “Let the Last Man on the Right Brush the Channel with His Sleeve”

2. Alfred von Schlieffen: Chief of German General Staff (1891-1906) innovated a plan to invade France Lord Palmerston: The Prime Minister of England at the time; made efforts to make Belgium (which was geographically north of France) neutral and independent The Heart of France

3. Under its terms, Germany was obligated to support Austria in any conflict that it had with Russia. The Austro- German Alliance

4. Either France or Russia were obligated to move against Germany if the other became engaged in a defensive war with Germany. It was inevitable that in any war that Germany engaged in, it would have to fight against Russia and France. The Franco-Russian Alliance

5. If England did not choose to remain neutral, then Belgium would most likely bring her into war. The Neutrality of England

6. The main goal of the Schlieffen plan was to invade France effectively and successfully in a matter of six weeks. The Schlieffen Plan

7. French fortresses had been constructed after the battles of 1870. As a result, German troops were faced with circumnavigating France for a successful capture through Belgium. Alsace and Lorraine

8. According to The Schlieffen Plan, going through Belgium to France would lead to a hastier victory than would laying siege and engaging in warfare on the common border that the French shared with the Germans. Attacking Through Flanders

9. Germany felt confident in its tactics to attack France, partially supported by its former victories over Austria and France. The indemnity of Germany regarding France was inevitable. Decisive Battle

10. Crucial to Germany’s success was winning over the public opinion, which would consequently bring an end to resistance. However, to Germany’s detriment, France never lost sight of the risk of moral failure and its possible hazard of war and additional resistance. Ending Resistance

11. Regarding Belgium, the Germans took for granted the notion that as a result of Belgium’s initial resistance to German invasion, she might “line up along Germany’s path” as a perfect target and easy obstacle. In response, Schlieffen posed an ultimatum to Belgium, demanding that it yield the means of transportation it possessed or to expect bombardment otherwise. Germany’s perception of Belgium

12. As of June 1st, 1914, General von Moltke stated that Germany was “ready”. For them, the war’s initiation was a matter of ‘the sooner the better’. The First World War officially began on June 28th, when Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by the Serbians. The Beginning of War