Albrecht von Roon

The Minister of War who pushed through army reform and strongly recommended Bismarck as Minister President.

Life

Geographer

Roon was a Prussian officer and geographer who wrote best-selling geography textbooks. In 1859 he became Minister of War and pushed army reforms that expanded the army and lengthened the term of service.

Army reform

The liberals in parliament refused to approve military funding, triggering a constitutional crisis, and King William I at one point considered abdicating. In 1862 Roon telegraphed Bismarck: "Danger in delay. Come at once!" and strongly recommended him as Minister President. Once in power, Bismarck ignored parliament and forced the army reform through.

Come at once

The reformed army won all three wars of unification. In 1873 he briefly served as Minister President of Prussia, and he died in 1879.

Legacy

Roon, Bismarck and Moltke are called the "troika" of German unification: Roon built the army, Moltke commanded in the field, and Bismarck handled politics and diplomacy.

Did you know? The telegram he sent Bismarck was in Latin and French: "Periculum in mora. Dépêchez-vous." (Danger in delay. Come at once.)

Key dates

• 1859Became Minister of War
• 1862Strongly recommended Bismarck
• 1866Austro-Prussian War
• 1873Became Minister President of Prussia
• 1879Died