Prussian war with Austria

War with Austria

• Prussian-Austrian relations deteriorated over the winter of 1865-6
• Austria now determined on a policy of confrontation with Prussia

Austria in a weak position

• No allies
• On the verge of bankruptcy
• Holstein was sandwiched between Prussian territory

• At meeting of the Prussian Crown Council in February 1866, Bismarck declared that war with Austria was only a matter of time
• Would be fought not just to settle the final fate of the Duchies but over the wider issue of who should control Germany
• Bismarck laid the groundwork for war
• Secret alliance made with Italy in April 1866, by which Italy agreed to follow Prussia if it declared war on Austria within 3 months
• In return Italy would acquire Venetia from Austria when the war ended

• Tension over Holstein and over proposals to reform the Confederation…