Definition of Austro-Prussian War

Although it begins by revealing the end of the contest (which, with logic, is well known by all), the Austrian defeat caused that country to turn to its Balkan empire, abandoning the idea of ​​German unification under his command, which left Prussia free to take the reins of German unification and, according to some historians, also to the great militarism of the Germanic society that Europe and the world would suffer until the Second War World.

The Austro-Prussian War was a military conflict that occurred between June 14 and August 23, 1866 between two German coalitions: one led by Austria, and the other by Prussia.

This contest must be situated within the framework of the long process of German unification. For a long time, the Germanic country was a fragmented mosaic of small nations that had in common the language and culture, but that politically they could rival or reach agreements, according to the convenience of their leaders.

This panorama was the broth of

culture suitable for foreign powers, such as France, to poke their noses into the region, along with the Common language and culture gave rise to movements favorable to a German unity also politically.

After the Napoleonic wars, two of the victorious countries of that conflict they began to compete for control of the reunification process of Germany: Austria and Prussia.

Both countries had fought together in the war of the duchies against Denmark, but the confrontation was imminent, since their interests in the German Confederation clashed squarely.

In anticipation of the future confrontation, the Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (figure of great vision politics) approached the France of Napoleon III, Austria's historic enemy, to ensure that it would hold fast to the margin, and the Italy that was also uniting and with which Prussia shared enmity with respect to Austria (the latter country had the Veneto and the Dalmatian coast, which the Italians claimed as his).

Napoleon II hoped that both Prussia and Austria would emerge weakened from the war, which would reinforce his influence in the German sphere. For his part, Bismarck also achieved the neutrality of the Russian Empire.

To provoke war, Prussia deliberately thwarted the Austrian administration of the Duchy of Holstein.

The government Austrian complained to the Diet of Frankfurt, in which several German states supported the Austrian claim, before the Prussian immobility. The war was served.

Austria declared war on Prussia on June 14, 1866.

Prussian military capacity was superior, since the country was heavily militarized, at the same time contrary to Austria, a country with a powerful army but not as militarized as Prussia.

Prussia was the first to strike, attacking and invading the neighboring states to the north of Austria allied to the latter, something against which the Austrians could not react.

Hanover, Austria's only allied state to northern Germany, was quickly defeated by Prussia, which allowed the latter to move most of the troops south to engage directly with the Austrians.

Meanwhile, and as a result of the alliance, the Italians also entered the fray attacking the Austrian possessions in the Veneto.

Although the Italian attack would have little impact, it would entertain a good number of Austrian troops and, Ultimately, it would contribute to the final victory of Prussia, also paving the route for Italy to achieve the integration to his kingdom from part of the Austrian territories of the Veneto, although not of all the extension that Garibaldi intended.

Meanwhile, in the north, and before Austria could mobilize all her troops, at the end of June the Prussian forces practically razed Bavaria (allied to the Austrians) and entered Austria. The final confrontation was approaching.

Sadowa was the decisive battle of the confrontation, the Austrian Waterloo that sealed the fate of the war in favor of Prussia.

About 140,000 Austrian soldiers and about 115,000 Prussians and Saxons (allies of the Prussians) were deployed on the battlefield of Sadowa (present-day Hradec Králové, Czech Republic).

In this confrontation there were tactical errors on the part of both sides, but in the end the Prussians had more success to the time to retreat and counterattack, so that in the face of the Austrian withdrawal they ended up being masters and lords battle.

One of the consequences was that the Austrian losses were much higher than the Prussians, leaving the Austrian army severely decimated. As of Sadowa, on the part of Austria only the extreme resistance made sense, practically forgetting any possibility of attack.

Prussia was left with her hands free to roam the Austrian territories, and she still hoped to receive reinforcements from the north.

All these circumstances led Austria to seek a negotiated solution.

Once the armistice was signed, Italy also ceased hostilities against Austria, because with her army greatly diminished by the war effort, and after having suffered several defeats, the Italian generals did not see themselves with the capacity to maintain the war against the Austrian enemy in a manner favorable to their weapons.

The territories claimed from Italy were given to it by the Austrians through the treaty of peace definitive, thus fulfilling Prussia its promise to support the incorporation of Veneto into the country.

The German Confederation was also dissolved and a new entity was created, the North German Confederation, led by Prussia, which went on to lead the German unifying effort.

Faced with this power, only France remained, which Prussia would defeat in 1870.

But this is another story ...

Issues in Austro-Prussian War