Prussian-Austrian Relationships

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Prussia and Austria were two of the strongest powers in the Holy Roman Empire, exerting influence over the Central European region. Prussia and Austria fought alongside one another during the Napoleonic Wars. Following this, at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Prussia and Austria joined together in a union known as the German Confederation. Consisting of 39 predominantly german-speaking states, the German Confederation sought to create a coalition for the mutual defense of the fragmented German states. However, due to conflicts such as the German Revolution of 1848, the German Confederation dissolved in 1849. 

Despite common Germanic ancestry among many of the constituents of Austria and Germany, the tumultuous desire for power prompted military, social, economic, political, and territorial conflicts. The German Revolution highlighted the desire of the Germanic people – especially those in Prussia and Austria – to unify as a single federal state. Most notably during the timeframe of this committee is the “German Question” was a key division between Austria which favored Großdeutsche Lösung or “Greater Germany” – unifying all German states – and Germany which favored Kleindeutsche Lösung or “Little Germany” – unifying only northern German states which would exclude Austria. These differing views on the fate of the Germanic people were a primary point of contention between the two powerhouses. In addition, it was also under the question of which of the two powerhouses would pioneer the unification of the fragmented German states. Subsequently, Austrian influences will be an important point of consideration for the Prussian Landtag in 1849. The ethnic makeup of Austria is less homogeneous than that of Prussia which has led to the significant internal conflict of groups seeking independence. During the late 1840s, the Austrian Empire experienced greater internal instability which may provide a valuable opportunity for Prussian advancement in German unification.