It is a plan that has been devised by Alfred von Schlieffen. He was ordered todevise this plan in order to break the stalemate that had been created between both the Allied and the German forces. It consisted of passing through Belgiumand taking Paris. After that, Germany would have dealt with its Eastern flank,that is to say Russia. If this had succeeded, the war would have been won for Germany. Unfortunately for the Germans it failed because: Firstly: the Belgiansheld the Germans back for longer than expected. Secondly: The Russiansmobilized faster than expected on Germany's eastern flank.