Which statement best describes the Schlieffen Plan and its strategic aim?

• A. Germany's plan to quickly defeat France by invading through Belgium and then pivot to fight Russia
• B. A plan to secure colonies in Africa
• C. A plan to blockade Britain and avoid any land invasion
• D. A plan to fight Russia first to avoid a two-front war

Answer: (B)

The Schlieffen Plan was about preventing a two-front war by knocking France out quickly. It proposed a swift, wide-reaching advance through Belgium to bypass France’s strongest defenses, defeat France fast, and then turn east to confront Russia before it could fully mobilize. This west-first, then east approach is the plan’s defining aim. The other options describe different goals—colonial expansion, blocking Britain at sea, or fighting Russia first—but they don’t capture the strategy of a rapid western victory to avoid a prolonged two-front war.