Count Alfred von Schlieffen first drew up the Schlieffen Plan in 1905. It was the German plan should war break out in Europe. It was obvious to everyone that war would soon break out so the main forces began making alliances and plans for war. The French had Plan 17 and the Germans had the Schlieffen plan .
First, vast amounts of railway lines were built on the Belgium/German border and time tables were drawn up, ready to move thousands of troops quickly through Belgium (it was thought that Belgium would not pose any real threat to the German advance). The main German Army were to go through Belgium, in the North, instead of the South, to avoid Verdun, Toul, Nancy, Epinal and Belfourt, the French fortress towns where the main French army was located in the South. Ten percent of the German Army was to stay in Alsace-Lorraine to entice the French and cause a distraction from the main German army attacking in the North.
Second, the main German Army would capture the channel ports of Boulongne, Calais, Dunkirk and Ostend within twenty-two days to stop any British forces arriving to support their Triple Entente partners the French. The BEF would also help the Belgians because of another treaty. It was thought that the British would be too slow mobilising its troops and so time could be taken in capturing the ports.
One of the key points in the Schlieffen plan was that the main German Army had to march thirty-five kilometres per day; this would reach the Somme by the thirty-first day. This speed would have the German advance in Paris by the sixth week and have the main German Army ready for the fight in Russia.
Third, the main German Army would encircle and capture Paris. This is important because is has a symbolic significance and more so because it is the centre of the French Government and the French Government is important for keeping France alive.
Fourth, the main German Army would sweep around Paris and head for the main French Army, which is now in the South enticed by Alsace-Lorraine (the French would particularly like to take Alsace-Lorraine from the Germans because they feel it is rightly theirs and was taken from them).
