Albrecht von Roon

Roon, as Prussian War Minister, implemented a major reorganization of the Prussian Army. He increased the size of the standing army, extended conscription, and reformed the officer corps. These reforms created the military force that would later win the wars of German unification.

Roon's army reforms led to a constitutional crisis in Prussia when the Landtag refused to approve the budget. Roon advised King Wilhelm I to appoint Otto von Bismarck as Minister President. Bismarck then governed without a legal budget, implementing the reforms anyway.

Roon's reformed Prussian Army fought the Austro-Prussian War. The army's superior organization, training, and equipment led to a decisive Prussian victory at the Battle of K