Hans Friedrich von Röhm

Hans Friedrich von Röhm (13 May 1826 - 1889) was a German politician and military officer. Initially joining the Reichstag as a member of the Preussische Vaterlandspartei, he eventually found himself in the position of leader of the Deutschkonservative Partei. During his lifetime, he held several positions in government, including as Minister of Justice (1875-1885) and as Minister of the Interior (1885-1890).

Early life (1826-1845)
Born 13th May 1826, Hans Friedrich ‘Fritz’ von Röhm was the eldest son of minor Saxon nobility. His father, Heinrich, fought Napoleon at the ‘Battle of the Nations’ in 1813, and was determined that his son follow his footsteps. After receiving a classical education, studying the works of Cicero, Caesar, Homer, and Aristotle, Hans left his home to join the Royal Saxon Army at the age of 18, receiving his first commission as an artillery officer in 1845.

Military Career
Initially opposed to pan-Germanism, Hans fought against Prussia in the war of 1849. Despite the defeat, he proved himself an able officer and was promoted to Feldwebel as the Royal Saxon Army was incorporated into the North German Federation. In 1855 Hans, by this time an ardent supporter of the pan-German movement, distinguished himself in the Battle of Lons, earning himself the Knight’s Cross of the Order of St Henry, and a promotion to Leutnant. His military career continued to reach new highs in 1857 as Hans was wounded in battle against the Austrians at the Battle of Landshut, but refused medical treatment and continued commanding his unit before taking part in the Siege of Vienna. Following the German victory Hans received a promotion to Major, and, as he was now eligible, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of St Henry, 2nd Class. In 1870, he was transferred to the I. Korps in Berlin to serve under General der Infanterie Alexander von Hoth. In 1875, he was transferred to the VI. Korps in Straßburg to serve under Generalmajor Heinrich Hartmann. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Oberst. That same year, Hans was promoted to Generalmajor and assumed command over the VI. Korps after Hartmann was transferred to lead the I. Korps in the wake of the Berlin Riots of '75. In 1877, he was promoted to General der Infanterie and awarded the Iron Cross due to his contributions in the Serbian War against Austria-Hungary. In 1885, after the German intervention in the Russian Civil War, von Röhm was promoted to Generaloberst.

Politics
Away from the battlefield, Hans is an ardent monarchist, wishing for the reversal of universal suffrage, a return to absolutism, and a return to the Prussian Thaler as the dominant form of currency. He is also opposed to the newly acquired colonies overseas, perceiving them as a vast waste of time and resources when Germany’s natural borders in Europe are yet to be achieved. Economically, Hans wishes for the protection of the German economy from outside forces, yet also encourages free enterprise amongst the German people, and opposes the newfound desire to provide 'welfare' for worthless layabouts. He has become well known for his aggressive and controversial statements against liberalism and communism. In 1860 he was quoted in a local Saxon paper: 'the rise of the KPD is a dark moment in the history of our young nation, we must exterminate this new menace, at the earliest opportunity, lest we face a foe more dangerous than liberalism and the little Corporal proved to be half a century ago.' He joined the Preussische Vaterlandspartei in 1862 as he looked towards his retirement from military service, and intended to stand as a candidate in the next election. This was criticised by some as being 'against his Saxon roots.' To which Hans responded, 'I was born a Saxon, but to be German is to be Prussian.'

In 1875, Hans Friedrich von Röhm ran in the elections for the PVP. In the wake of the 1875 coalition talks, von Röhm was appointed as Minister of Justice. Following the Berlin Riots of '75, he left the PVP and remained in the Reichstag as an independent until he joined the DkP in 1880. After the 1880 elections, von Röhm was confirmed as Minister of Justice. In 1882 Heinrich Hartmann was forced into retirement as leader of the DkP in the aftermath of the New Chartist Protest of '82 and Hans Friedrich was elected as the party's new leader. After the 1885 elections and the creation of a NLP-SPD-FV government, von Röhm was appointed as Minister of the Interior.

Personal life
Married in 1849, Hans has three surviving children. Albert (born 1854), Anne (born 1858), and Wilhelm (born 1869). His wife, Catherine (born 1831), lived with their children on his estate on the outskirts of Dresden, though Hans acquired a townhouse on Friedrichstraße somewhere around 1875. Hans died in 1889 as a result of a heart attack while he was riding his horse.