As a percent of GDP, Russia and France spent MORE on Defense than Germany did. Oh and France had conscripted a higher percentage of its male population into the military than Germany did. Given it had two hostile and well armed neighbors on its borders, you bet your azz Germany too was well armed. It had to be.
But I guess it doesn’t fit the narrative to admit that Russia and France were armed to the teeth too huh?
Russia and France were world wide empires. Brittan also. Germany wanted to be a world wide empire. That is why they were better prepared and used the excuse to invade France. Germany wanted to be the big cheese in Europe and took steps to accomplish that goal.
Germany wanted this war. This is why the Keiser didn’t even try to avoid committing Germany into a war over the Austro-Hungary infighting. This is why the Keiser and the German high command was furious when they found out that Charles I was negotiating an exit to the war with France.
I used to think that it wasn’t that difficult to understand but I’ve been wrong before.