"The Schlieffen Plan, prepared by German Chief of Staff General Alfred von Schlieffen (1833-1913) in 1905, was a secret plan of attack by German armed forces against France, should the two countries go to war. The objective was to quickly defeat France in the west to avoid facing Russia in the east at the same time. The plan required German forces to quickly move through the neutral Low Countries, avoiding the main French fortifications on the Franco-German border."
"With fewer troops available than planned, logistical problems, and the enemy putting up unexpectedly strong resistance, the Schlieffen Plan failed, and the German advance was first halted and then pushed back at the 'Miracle of the Marne' in September 1914, a situation which ultimately led to the establishment of the Western Front as a relatively static line of opposing defensive trenches."
"In the early 20th century, states across Europe were mutually suspicious of each other's intentions. In the pre-WWI Alliance system, two blocs emerged: the Triple Entente of Britain, France, and Russia versus the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. In case war broke out between these two blocs, military strategists were tasked with formulating suitable plans of attack. Russian generals formulated plans on how best to attack Austria-Hungary, while French generals formed attack plans for a campaign against Germany."
Alfred von Schlieffen designed a 1905 German plan to quickly defeat France in the west to avoid simultaneous war with Russia in the east. The plan required swift movement through the neutral Low Countries to bypass French frontier fortifications, envelop French forces, capture Paris, and force a French surrender within six weeks. Operational execution in 1914 under Helmuth von Moltke encountered troop shortages, logistical difficulties, and stronger-than-expected resistance. The German advance was halted and pushed back at the Miracle of the Marne in September 1914. The failure produced a static Western Front characterized by entrenched defensive lines.
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