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Why did King William I appoint Otto von Bismarck as Prussian prime minister in 1862?

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Otto von Bismarck in military uniform and cap, with a mustache, facing slightly to the side in a black-and-white portrait taken around 1880. — Otto von Bismarck Otto von Bismarck.

In 1862, King William I of Prussia faced a severe constitutional crisis regarding military reform. The King sought to strengthen the Prussian army by increasing the number of line regiments, but the liberal-controlled lower chamber of the legislature refused to approve the necessary budget, fearing the expansion of the conservative officer corps.12

Caught in this deadlock, William I felt unable to govern against the express wishes of the chambers and was prepared to abdicate the throne. However, he was dissuaded from resigning by Otto von Bismarck, who was then serving as the Prussian ambassador to Paris. Impressed by Bismarck's willingness to lead a cabinet that would challenge the legislature and uphold royal authority, the King appointed him as prime minister in September 1862.12

Bismarck subsequently bypassed the parliamentary deadlock by arguing that a "gap in the constitution" existed, allowing the government to collect taxes and spend funds without legislative approval to maintain the state's operations and military goals.32