The war plans behind Europe's chain of mobilizations rested on assumptions drawn from recent conflicts. German planning expected Russia to mobilize slowly, yet reforms after the Russo-Japanese War had begun to change Russian performance. British capabilities likewise reflected the Haldane reforms after the Boer War instead of the weaknesses displayed in that earlier conflict. Plans based on an enemy's last war can fail when they ignore institutional learning and reform.
Notable Point · 34:57-37:12
War plans built on the last war
European mobilization plans underestimated how much Russia and Britain had changed since their previous wars.