Austro-Prussian War (jul 5, 1866 – aug 23, 1866)

Description:

Danish king was trying to take Schleswig and Holstein, Bismarck needed a win for support, so he united with Austria to defeat Denmark.

Prussia took Schleswig, Astria took Holstein --> Bis purposefully gave Austria Holstein because then it would be sandwiched in between Prussian teerritory--Bis wanted Austra out of German affairs in the north.

SO Bis neutralizes France and Italy (by promising territory) and Russia (by promising revenge) so that they don't get involved when he attacks Austria.

Bis provokes Austria into war and Prussia wins in 7 weeks thanks to their great army and modernization that Austria didn't have.

HOWEVER Austria is is only forced to do minimal reparations (but also removed from the New German Confederation, which was Bis' only goal) because Bis knows that Austria will not get mad in the future when Prussia attacks France.

Effects:
Austria out of North German Confederation
Liberals support conservative govmnt because of German nationalist fever
Bis and WIlliam I in control of Parliament (thanks to NGC's new constitution)
- lower house of legislators (Reichstag) voted on by universal suffrage (makes socialist working class very happy)
- passed a bill funding all military spending (middle class saw german unification in sight so fully supported Bis in parliament)

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