Helmuth Von Moltke and the Origins of the First World WarThis book explores the influence of Helmuth von Moltke, Germany's Chief of the General Staff between 1906 and 1914. Based largely on previously unknown primary sources, it analyses the General Staff's role in military decision-making and Moltke's relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm II, as well as the genesis of the Schlieffen Plan and Germany's military and political reactions to the many pre-war crises. Moltke's influence on Germany's political decision-making was decisive, helping to foster an increasingly confrontational mood. The book takes specific issue with the common perception of Moltke as an ineffectual and reluctant military leader, remembered primarily for the defeat at the Battle of the Marne and his alleged adulteration of the Schlieffen Plan. It concludes that he was both bellicose and ambitious, hoping for war 'the sooner the better' and playing a crucial role in the outbreak and early months of the First World War. |
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Afflerbach Agadir Crisis alliance ally army increases August Austrian Auswärtiges Amt BA-MA Balkan BayHSTA-KA Belgian neutrality Belgium Berlin Bethmann Hollweg Britain Bucholz Bülow Chancellor Chief of Staff civilian command Conrad considered December decision defeat demands deployment plan Deutsche deutschen diary Dokumente Dommes East Eliza von Moltke enemies Erinnerungen Falkenhayn favourable Förster France French future Geiss Generalfeldmarschall Generaloberst Generalstab German army German military Germany's Goltz Groener Haeften Hahnke Helmuth von Moltke Hentsch Herwig Ibid important Jagow January Julikrise July Crisis Kaiser Krafft Krieg Liège Ludendorff Lyncker manoeuvres March Marne memorandum Militärpolitische Lage Deutschlands Military Cabinet military decision-makers military leader military planning Minister Minister of War Ministry mobilization Moltke's Müller Munich navy Oberstleutnant offensive opponents Plessen political position possible Quoted Reich Reichsarchiv Ritter Röhl Rudolf Steiner Russia Schlieffen Plan September 1914 Serbia situation Steiner strategic plan Tappen Tirpitz troops victory Waldersee Waldersee's wanted Wenninger Wilhelm Wilhelm II