In "The Guns of August," Barbara W. Tuchman outlines the strategic decisions made by German military leader Helmuth von Moltke. As tensions escalated in Europe, the Schlieffen Plan emerged as a key strategy for Germany, which aimed to quickly defeat France before facing Russia. To implement this plan, Schlieffen decided that an invasion of France would proceed through neutral Belgium, a choice that carried significant implications for international relations and heightened tensions.

This decision to invade Belgium not only showcased Germany's aggressive military strategy but also prompted Britain to enter the war, thus altering the dynamics of the conflict. Tuchman emphasizes how this calculated move set in motion a series of events that contributed to the unfolding tragedy of World War I, highlighting the importance of military strategy and the unforeseen consequences of such critical decisions.