Changes

When the news that Germany had declared war on Belgium arrived in London, the British cabinet was still discussing its response to the earlier declarations, deadlocked on the issue of war. The German invasion of Belgium allowed Britain to enter the war as a unified nation.

When the news that Germany had declared war on Belgium arrived in London, the British cabinet was still discussing its response to the earlier declarations, deadlocked on the issue of war. The German invasion of Belgium allowed Britain to enter the war as a unified nation.

The long-planned French offensive in Lorraine proved to be an enormous suicide mission. From August 7 to September 13, French soldiers flung themselves at well-prepared German fortifications, faithfully following Plan XVII. Losses were staggering, but only a few villages were acquired. The German anxieties that had led to war were shown to be without foundation.  

The long-planned French offensive in Lorraine proved to be a suicide mission. From August 7 to September 13, French soldiers flung themselves at well-prepared German fortifications, faithfully following Plan XVII. Losses were staggering, but only a few villages were acquired. The German anxieties that had led to war were shown to be without foundation.  

Meanwhile, German infantry advanced through Belgium and northeastern France until September 6–12, when they reached the Marne river north of Paris. At this point the Germans ran out of supplies and both sides began digging trenches. It was the beginning of four years of trench warfare.  

Meanwhile, German infantry advanced through Belgium and northeastern France until September 6–12, when they reached the Marne river north of Paris. At this point the Germans ran out of supplies and both sides began digging trenches. It was the beginning of four years of trench warfare.  

When Antwerp fell in October 1914, Wilhelm made a speech in which he stated that the city must remain German.<ref name=rohl142>Röhl, p. 11</ref> He wanted Belgians to be evacuated from Belgium and replaced with German military colonists.<ref name=rohl142 /> Wilhelm insisted on retaining control of the Belgian coastline in the hope that a German naval base could eventually be built there. This position was an obstacle to peace negotiations throughout the war.<ref name=rohl142 />  

When Antwerp fell in October 1914, Wilhelm made a speech in which he stated that the city must remain German.<ref name=rohl142>Röhl, p. 11</ref> He wanted Belgians to be evacuated and replaced with German military colonists.<ref name=rohl142 /> Wilhelm insisted on retaining control of the Belgian coastline in the hope that a German naval base could eventually be built there. This position was an obstacle to peace negotiations throughout the war.<ref name=rohl142 />  

Hindenburg and [[Erich Ludendorff|Ludendorff]] became national heroes after their victory over the Russians at Tannenburg in August 1914. After the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, Wilhelm replaced Moltke with Falkenhayen as chief of staff. Falkenhayen's nuanced and defensive strategy could not compete with the calls for an all-out offensive made by Ludendorff. Bowing to public pressure, Wilhelm ousted Falkenhayen in favor of Hindenburg and Ludendorff in August 1916. On Ludendorff's initiative, Germany adopted "unrestricted" submarine warfare in January 1917. In April, the United States responded with a declaration of war. In July, Ludendorff forced Bethmann to resign, ending the kaiser's influence on government policy. Using an innovative set of strategies, Ludendorff launched a great offensive in France in March 1918.

Hindenburg and [[Erich Ludendorff|Ludendorff]] became national heroes after their victory over the Russians at Tannenburg in August 1914. After the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, Wilhelm replaced Moltke with Falkenhayen as chief of staff. Falkenhayen's nuanced and defensive strategy could not compete with the calls for an all-out offensive made by Ludendorff. Bowing to public pressure, Wilhelm ousted Falkenhayen in favor of Hindenburg and Ludendorff in August 1916. On Ludendorff's initiative, Germany adopted "unrestricted" submarine warfare in January 1917. In April, the United States responded with a declaration of war. In July, Ludendorff forced Bethmann to resign, ending the kaiser's influence on government policy. Using an innovative set of strategies, Ludendorff launched a great offensive in France in March 1918.