diplomatic

Germany Declares War on Russia

| World War I

Germany declared war on Russia after Russia refused to halt mobilization. Germany had been committed to the Schlieffen Plan, which required swift defeat of France before turning to fight Russia. The German military's rigid timetable left no room for diplomacy. Kaiser Wilhelm II, upon learning the declaration was signed, reportedly said 'Gentlemen, you will live to regret it.'

Sources

  • T2 A.J.P. Taylor, The First World War (1963) Major
  • T2 Hew Strachan, The First World War Vol. I (2001) Major
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