Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Chapter 4 Austro-Prussian Rivalry: Austro-Prussian conflict - Coggle…
Chapter 4 Austro-Prussian Rivalry: Austro-Prussian conflict
Bismarck's policy 1862-6
relations between Austria and Prussia became icy after Bismarck's appointment
December 1862, Bismarck warned Austria that it was inviting catastrophe unless it recognised Prussia as an equal in Germany
by 1863, clear that Bismarck and Austria at odds over the future of Germany
1863, prospect of Prussia defeating Germany + dominating Germany unlikely. Bismarck's position in Prussia vulnerable (liberals disliked), Prussia's position in Germany also vulnerable - territories straddled across central Europe, Austria had larger army + 2x population. most German states did not want to be dominated by Prussia
Polish Revolt
late 18th century, Prussia, Russia and Austria had divided Poland among them
relations between Prussia + Polish population uneasy, Poles blamed for some of 1848
1863, Russian Poles revolted against Russian rule
Bismarck worried - could lead to general Polish uprising
Tsar Alexander III ordered suppression - France, Austria and Britain protested
Bismarck hoped to gain friendship by offering Russia military aid. Tsar rejected but agreed to convention where Prussia would hand Polish rebels who crossed border to Russia
Prussian + German liberals, France, Britain and Austria protested
Bismarck claimed convention did not exist as had not been ratified - angered tsar (try to improve diplomatic position)
Prussia seemingly friendless
1864, rising suppressed
Prussia emerged less disastrously than expected - tsar offended by Austrian + French criticism, Russia would likely remain neutral if Prussia went to war with Austria or France
The problem of Schleswig and Holstein
Bismarck's aims
hoped to annex duchies, strengthening Prussian power and winning himself credit
did not want to see Duke of Augustenburg in control of another independent state in north Germany
Austrian-Prussian cooperation
Austria supported Augustenburg's claim, but were suspicious of German nationalism. Didn't want Prussia to ally with the forces of nationalism, so Austria was happy to cooperate with Prussia (seen as traditional policy)
Bismarck implied he supported Augustenburg, concealed expansionist aims
allied Austria + Prussia issued ultimatum to Denmark threatening to occupy Schleswig unless it withdrew the new constitution within 48 hours
Denmark refused
January 1864, Prussian + Austrian army advanced into Schleswig
April, Prussian troops stormed Danish fortifications at Duppel - widely publicised, won grudging admiration of Gm nationalists
Denmark agreed matter should be resolved by conference, but London Conference (April-June 1864) failed to reach agreement
counting on British support, Denmark refused to make concessions and fighting continued. but, little Britain could do
Denmark surrendered July 1864
The situation in Schleswig-Holstein
November 1863, King Frederick VII died childless. he had also ruled duchies of Schleswig and Holstein
Schleswig mixed German and Polish population, Holstein almost entirely German
Holstein member of German Confederation, Schleswig wasn't
dissent in duchies in 1848 - Holstein in support of Frankfurt parliament
1852, treaty signed in London by Great Powers said Frederick would be succeeded by Christian of Gluksburg, heir through marriage to the king's first cousin
Schleswig and Holstein contested his claim as inheritance through the female line forbidden in the duchies, put forward the Prince of Augustenburg
the prince did not object to being passed over in the treaty, though never formally renounced his rights
November 1863, Christian became King of Denmark, govt officials in Holstein refused to swear allegiance
son of Prince of Augustenburg (Duke of Augustenburg) now claimed both duchies - supported by Gm nationalists
King Christian incorporated Schleswig into Denmark, violating 1852 treaty
December 1863, smaller German states sent army into Holstein on behalf of Duke of Augustenburg
Duke became most popular figure in Germany - symbol of German nationalism
The Results of the Danish War
The Convention of Gastein
neither Austria or Prussia wanted war at this point
Bismarck + Wilhelm at Bad Gastein Austrian envoy arrived + negotiations opened
August 1865, Convention of Gastein agreed:
Holstein (the duchy closer to Prussia) would be administered by Austria
Schleswig would be administered by Prussia
two powers would retain joint sovereignty over both duchies
Bismarck knew he could quarrel with Austria over Holstein at any time
Bismarck's motives
debate over motives, did he?
use duchies to manoeuvre Austria into open confrontation with Prussia
have no clear policy but 'to let events ripen'
try to manoeuvre Austria out of duchies - diplomacy aimed to frighten Austria
Result
Treaty of Vienna October 1864, King of Denmark gave up rights over Schleswig and Holstein, which would be jointly administered by Austria and Prussia
long-term fate of duchies caused tension (Bismarck intended)
public opinion expected Augustenburg would become duke
Bismarck proposed he only be installed under conditions that left him under Prussia's power
unacceptable to Austria + the duke
Austria turned to Bundesrat, motion calling for recognition of Augustenburg easily passed
Prussia ensured nothing done
summer 1865, future still unresolved + relations between Austria + Prussia deteriorted
The meeting at Biarritz
rivalry between Austria + Prussia remained
possibility of war remained - Bismarck strengthens international position
confident Britain + Russia would not support Austria, but feared France
October 1865, Bismarck met French Emperor Napoleon III at Biarritz
debate what happened - nothing specific agreed (neither wanted specific agreement)
Bismarck not prepared to offer Rhineland territory in return for neutrality, Napoleon intended to remain neutral + mediate to gain greater reward than anything Bismarck could offer
Napoleon had anti-Austrian stance, not difficult for Bismarck to secure his good wishes
War with Austria
winter 1865-6, Prussian-Austrian relations worsened
Prussia found every excuse to denounce Austria for violating Convention of Gastein
Austria convinced war inevitable, policy of confrontation
weak position:
no allies
on verge of bankruptcy
Holstein sandwiched between Prussian territory
February 1866, Bismarck declared war with Austria only a matter of time - laid groundwork for war
April 1866, secret alliance made with Italy - Italy agreed to follow Prussia if it declared war on Austria within 3 months, in return for gaining Venetia from Austria when war ended
Bismarck stoked tension over Holstein + proposals to reform the Convention (included universal male suffrage + expelling Austria from confederation)
unacceptable to Austria (Bismarck knew)
April 1866, Austria mobilised, Prussia followed
Britain, France, Russia proposed a congress, but Austria refused
June, Austria broke off talks and referred the situation to the Bundestag, Bismarck sent troops into Holstein
war did not break out, so Bismarck sent out to the Bundestag extended version of reforms to the federal constitution
Austria asked Bundestag to reject proposals and prepare for war
Prussia withdrew from Confederation, declared it dissolved and invited all the other German states to ally themselves with them against Austria
most states began preparing for war against Prussia
Bismarck issued ultimatum to Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Saxony to side with Prussia or be regarded as enemies
ultimatums rejected, Prussian troops invaded 15th June. Hesse-Cassel and Saxony offered no resistance, Hanover quickly defeated
The Seven Weeks' War
Austrian advantages
more soldiers (400,000 vs. 300,000)
most states supported Austria
central position
initially many Prussians lukewarm about fighting a war against fellow Germans
Prussia's industrial power would make little difference if the war was short
The Battle of Sadowa
3 July 1866, major battle at Sadowa (Koniggratz for Prussians)
nearly half a million men involved, sides equally balanced
Austrians well equipped with artillery, initially effective, but caught in Prussian pincer movement
Prussian breech-loading needle gun - rate of fire 5x greater than anything Austrians had - decisive
Austrians fled
Austria 45,000 casualties, Prussia 9000
Prussia won battle and with it the war
Austria wanted rapid end to fighting, Prussia in place to dictate terms
Prussian advantages
army reforms had been carried out
under command of General von Moltke - a gifted military leader
advance planning + preparation - railways for moving troops - mobilisation more efficient than Austrian
large core of troops better trained, equipped and disciplined
War
Italians followed through on treaty - Austria forced to fight on two fronts
Italian army - weak, inefficient - defeated by Austria at Battle of Custoza 24 June
Moltke wanted to invade Bohemia to prevent Austrians in the south linking up with those in the north
Prussia used 5 lines to bring troops southwards (only 1 line for Austrians)
divided troops - faster movement, Austrians missed opportunities to annihilate Prussian armies
poor military leadership from Austrian Generals Henikstein and Benedek