Changes

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>"[https://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, the chief of the General Staff, or war planning division, to remind the all highest that the army needed to remain on the eastern frontier at all times 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>"[https://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, the chief of the General Staff, or war planning division, to remind the all highest that the army needed to remain on the eastern frontier at all times to deter the Russians.

In 1897, the kaiser ordered that France rather than Russia be the focus of General Staff planning. At about the same time, the kaiser decided to build up the navy in order to frighten the British away from continental interventions. Wilhelm was attempting to woo Tsar Nicholas away from France at this time and did not have want spies to report that Germany was preparing an offensive against Russia.<ref>Mombauer, Annika, ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=t4gDyLfeUEQC&dq= Helmuth Von Moltke and the Origins of the First World War]'', p. 76. See footnote.</ref>

In 1897, the kaiser ordered that planning by the General Staff focus on France rather than Russia. At about the same time, the kaiser decided to build up the navy in order to frighten the British away from continental interventions. Wilhelm was attempting to woo Tsar Nicholas away from France at this time and did not have want spies to report that Germany was preparing an offensive against Russia.<ref>Mombauer, Annika, ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=t4gDyLfeUEQC&dq= Helmuth Von Moltke and the Origins of the First World War]'', p. 76. See footnote.</ref>

During Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, Russian forces were redeployed to the Far East, far from Germany's borders. This inspired great excitement among German officers, who considered how their country could take advantage of the situation. In 1905-1906, Schlieffen sketched a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan, ignored Russia altogether as its forces were pre-occupied in the east. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

During Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, Russian forces were redeployed to the Far East, far from Germany's borders. This inspired great excitement among German officers, who considered how their country could take advantage of the situation. In 1905-1906, Schlieffen sketched a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan, ignored Russia altogether as its forces were pre-occupied in the east. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former 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'', 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 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'', 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strongly advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>

Schlieffen published a magazine article on the plan in January 1909, which suggests that it was no longer being actively pursued. The revival of the plan can be attributed to Erich Ludendorff. Moltke promoted Ludendorff to a top position in the General Staff in 1908. After measures were taken to impose secrecy, Ludendorff began reworking the plan in 1909 with the help of Hermann von Stein and Gerhard Tappen.<ref>Mombauer, p. 90.</ref> In 1912, von Stein left the General Staff and Ludendorff, who would later serve as figurehead for Hitler's "Beerhall putsch" of 1923, replaced him in the No. 2 spot.

Schlieffen's plan was revived by Erich Ludendorff, who was promoted to a top position in the General Staff in 1908. After measures were taken to impose secrecy, Ludendorff began reworking the plan in 1909 with the help of Hermann von Stein and Gerhard Tappen.<ref>Mombauer, p. 90.</ref> In 1912, von Stein left the General Staff and Ludendorff replaced him in the No. 2 spot.

==The ''Daily Telegraph'' Affair (1908)==

==The ''Daily Telegraph'' Affair (1908)==