The first Duke of Prussia was an ex grandmaster of the Teutonic Order. He converted to Lutheranism and pledged a personal oath to King Sigismund I of Poland. He was invested with the Dutchy in 1525. He obviously could not continue as grandmaster as a protestant, but the militarism of that order helped to shape the country for hundreds of years to come.

Prussia had a position in Europe that lacked natural defences so the firm belief in swift attack over drawn out conflict probably facilitated the need for a highly proffesional and field competent army. As noted Frederick the Great had defeated Austria, much in the same tradition was Motlke's two victories over Austria and France in 1866 and 1870/1 respectively. Industrialisation and witnessing the impact of modern technology on the battlefield during the American Civil War was taken on board quickly by Prussia compared to her neighbours. Compare the effectiveness of the Needle gun at Koniggratz to the Austrian musket.