Alfred von Schlieffen is the intellectual father of Germany's strategic preparations for a new war, which is considered the First World War. Schlieffen himself was completely rooted in the 19th century and actively involved in the last cabinet wars through which the Germans achieved their national unity. He saw himself in the tradition of his great predecessor and role model, Helmuth von Moltke, yet he was convinced that modern warfare in the 20th century would reach entirely new dimensions. As Chief of the Great General Staff, he faced these challenges - not as a military zealot, but as a man of Prussian virtues, who saw himself in the service of a higher power, aware of his boundaries but also of his responsibilities. Perhaps it was not easy for him to assume the role of a modern Alexander, yet he held the highest position.