At the start of World War I, Germany's initial plan was known as the Schlieffen Plan. It aimed to quickly defeat France in the west before turning its attention to Russia in the east to avoid fighting a two-front war.
Related terms
Western Front: The area where most of the fighting between Germany and France occurred during World War I.
Eastern Front: The region where German forces faced off against Russian forces during World War I.
Battle of Marne: A major battle during which Allied forces successfully halted Germany's advance towards Paris and disrupted their execution of the Schlieffen Plan.