In late July of 1914 European nations were preparing themselves for the first world war. It was to be a war unlike any other seen by the eyes of Europe, countless lives were lost. Billions of dollars were spent by the worlds imperialistic superpowers in order to support the war effort. Drastic changes in industry and in government were made by the great European nations to meet the wars exceeding demands. When war broke out in 1914 Britain,France,Germany and Russia had to implement immediate measures to prepare their citizens for the monumental conflict ahead.
Although Russia had the hardest time recruiting its citizens into its army it was the first to mobilize. Russia's improving railways and increasing amount of rolling stock made it easy for her to get her troops to the German border. This was the monkey wrench in the German plans for attack. Under Schlieffen's plan German forces had to attack and defeat the French before Russia could attack her. Russia can be commended for her swift mobilization, part of Russian mobilization involved military control in the front line territories and military installations. This martial law for all territories bordering Germany. It was this force of 208 battalions of infantry and 228 squadrons of calvary that send Germany into a frenzy to mobilize her forces.Russia's immediate mobilization made Schlieffen's plan a failure. In response to this attack on her border Germany was placed under martial law, the siege law of 1871 was invoked. 24 army districts were created and all means of transportation was put towards the war effort. German troops became a familiar sight at bridges, viaducts rails and roads.
Most of the skilled European work force was sent to the front lines to die and European industry suffered accordingly. Since all means of German transportation was being use to support the war; German merchants found it hard to do business.Since it was supposed to be a short war, Germany had no plans to distribute its men to work in factories.