Constitutional Crisis

Reform of the Army 1860

• strengthening of the army was one of William's main concerns
• Believed it was the key to the future greatness of Prussia
• New Minister of war: General Roon
• Introduced a bill that aimed to:
• double the regular army's size
• increase the period of military service from 2 to 3 years
• Reduce the role played by the inefficient Landwehr
• re-equip the troops
• Liberals feared that the government might use the expanded army, not for the defence of Prussia from foreign attack, but against its own people as had ahppened in 1848-9.
• William was determined that army matters should be kept above parliamentary approval
• Liberals believed that Parliament should have financial control over army expenditure. Without…