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Because Wilhelm wanted war with France and Russia, but not Britain, advisers who understood this could manipulate him. Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg withheld crucial telegrams to get his approval for war in 1914.

Because Wilhelm wanted war with France and Russia, but not Britain, advisers who understood this could manipulate him. Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg withheld crucial telegrams to get his approval for war in 1914.

==Schlieffen and his plan==

==Schlieffen and his plan==

In the early years of his reign, the kaiser had great enthusiasm for military adventures, including proposals to invade Denmark<ref>Röhl, pp. 386-392.</ref> and America.<ref>"[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1393690/How-Kaiser-Bill-planned-to-invade-United-States.html How Kaiser Bill planned to invade United States]" ''Telegraph'', 09 May 2002</ref> It was the job of Schlieffen, Germany's highly respected army chief, to remind the all highest that the army needed to remain on the eastern frontier to deter the Russians.

In the early years of his reign, the kaiser had great enthusiasm for military adventures, including proposals to invade Denmark<ref>Röhl, pp. 386-392.</ref> and America.<ref>"[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1393690/How-Kaiser-Bill-planned-to-invade-United-States.html How Kaiser Bill planned to invade United States]" ''Telegraph'', 09 May 2002</ref> It was the job of Schlieffen, Germany's highly respected army chief, to remind the all highest that the army needed to remain on the eastern frontier to deter the Russians.

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 inspired Schlieffen to sketch a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan as it was later called, ignored Russia altogether, an assumption justified by that country's preoccupation with the Far East at the time. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 inspired Schlieffen to sketch a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan as it was later called, ignored Russia altogether, an assumption justified by that country's preoccupation with the Far East at the time. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

When the Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905, the kaiser expressed interest in the plan. Schlieffen had to confess that the German army was not ready for war. The French had recoilless artillery, which the Germans lacked.<ref>Röhl, p. 416.</ref> The plan contemplated a significantly larger army than the one Schlieffen commanded.<ref>"There was a Schlieffen Plan" by Gerhard P. Gross in [https://books.google.fi/books?id=IVjCBAAAQBAJ&hl=fi&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Schlieffen Plan: International Perspectives on the German Strategy for World War I], (2014), pp. 100-101.</ref> Whatever its value in war, the plan could be used as a tool for obtaining up-to-date weapons and more soldiers.<ref>Gross, pp. 103-104. Schlieffen's memorandum is, "A program for further expansion of the army and its mobilization," according to the archive's official description.</ref>

When the Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905, the kaiser expressed interest in the plan. Schlieffen had to confess that the German army was not ready for war. The French had recoilless artillery, which the Germans lacked.<ref>Röhl, p. 416.</ref> The plan contemplated a significantly larger army than the one Schlieffen commanded.<ref>"There was a Schlieffen Plan" by Gerhard P. Gross in [https://books.google.fi/books?id=IVjCBAAAQBAJ&hl=fi&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Schlieffen Plan: International Perspectives on the German Strategy for World War I], (2014), pp. 100-101.</ref> Whatever its value in war, the plan could be used as a tool for obtaining weapons and more soldiers.<ref>Gross, pp. 103-104. Schlieffen's memorandum is, "A program for further expansion of the army and its mobilization," according to the archive's official description.</ref>

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former military adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strongly advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former military adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strongly advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>