
In the grand strategy game Victoria 3, forming Germany as Austria is a challenging task due to Austria's weaker position compared to Prussia. One of Austria's prime objectives when forming Germany is to knock Prussia out of great power status. This can be achieved by declaring war on Austria, occupying their territories, and reducing their autonomy. Additionally, players must navigate the complexities of maintaining good relations with other major powers while influencing the minors. Prussia's stronger army and faster research capabilities further complicate the process. However, by securing alliances and carefully strategizing, players can increase their chances of success in forming Germany as Austria.
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What You'll Learn

Form an alliance with France
To form an alliance with France, you will need to be mindful of a few things. Firstly, France is a significant military power with over 100 brigades ready to mobilise, which is a larger force than even Russia can muster. This means that you should consider allying with them early on before they have a chance to build even more strength. It is also worth noting that Russia may be seeking an alliance with France, so you should act quickly to secure this alliance before your competitors do.
Secondly, you need to be cautious about the timing of any military engagements with France. If you attack them while you are still occupying Austria, the French and their allies may be able to liberate Austrian lands. Therefore, it is advisable to deal with Austria first and then focus on France.
When it comes to forming an alliance with France, you can exploit their rivalry with Prussia. Prussia is a formidable opponent with a stronger army, more reserves, and faster tech research capabilities than Austria. By launching a leadership play against Prussia with France as your ally, you can force Prussia to liberate several nations, which will work in your favour. This strategy will also help you gain influence over the minor nations, as you can bankroll them to increase their support for you.
Additionally, you can manipulate your relationship with Austria to your advantage. By reducing Austria's autonomy and influencing their minors, you can gain their support for unification. This will allow you to peacefully annex them and expand your territory.
In summary, forming an alliance with France is a crucial step in forming Germany as Austria. By acting swiftly, exploiting rivalries, and carefully timing your military engagements, you can secure a powerful ally and advance your goals of unification and expansion.
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Reduce Prussia's autonomy
Prussia's power and autonomy grew over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, culminating in its dominance over the German states following the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Prussia's growing military power, economic strength, and influential position in the German Confederation enabled it to establish hegemony over the other German states and drive the unification of Germany.
To reduce Prussia's autonomy and prevent its ascendancy, Austria could consider the following strategies:
Firstly, focus on building and strengthening its own military might. Prussia's military prowess was a key factor in its rise, so Austria should invest in its armed forces, fortify its borders, and seek strategic alliances to counter Prussia's military advantage. This could include forming alliances with other German states or external powers that could provide military support.
Secondly, Austria should aim to disrupt Prussia's economic growth and influence. Prussia's economic development, facilitated by the Zollverein, contributed to its military strength. Austria could implement economic policies or trade restrictions that hinder Prussia's economic advancement, potentially leveraging its own economic power or that of its allies to gain an advantage.
Thirdly, Austria should work to undermine Prussia's position within the German Confederation. Prussia's influence within this alliance was crucial to its dominance over the German states. Austria could engage in diplomatic maneuvers, such as forming counter-alliances or increasing its own influence within the Confederation, to reduce Prussia's autonomy and decision-making power.
Additionally, Austria could exploit Prussia's internal dynamics to create divisions and weaken its unity. Prussia's nobility and bureaucracy played a significant role in its governance, so Austria could attempt to infiltrate or influence these groups to create discord or foster dissent. Encouraging social and political reforms within Prussia that reduce the power of the nobility and increase public dissatisfaction could also contribute to Prussia's destabilization.
Lastly, Austria could consider a more direct approach by invading and attempting to annex Prussia. This, however, would likely result in a prolonged and costly war, as Prussia has proven itself a formidable military opponent. A more cautious strategy might involve allying with Prussia, using it as a buffer while Austria strengthens its own position, and then later attempting to reduce Prussia's autonomy through diplomatic or economic means. Alliances and improved relations can be key to achieving this.
By employing a combination of these strategies, Austria may be able to curb Prussia's growing autonomy and prevent its hegemony over the German states, thereby preserving its own influence and leadership role within the region.
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Gain territory from Prussia
Gaining territory from Prussia as Austria is no easy feat. Prussia has a stronger army, more reserves, and faster research capabilities. However, it is possible to gain an advantage and acquire Prussian territory by employing strategic maneuvers and forming key alliances. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this goal:
- Strengthen your Position: Focus on building your military might and economic stability. Invest in research and development to enhance your technological capabilities. Strengthening your position will make you a more formidable opponent for Prussia.
- Form Strategic Alliances: Seek alliances with powerful nations such as France. By securing France as an ally, you can counterbalance Prussia's military advantage. Additionally, consider allying with nations that can offer support, such as the Ottomans, who may be valuable partners against Prussia.
- Intervene in Austrian Wars: Look for opportunities to intervene in Austria's wars, particularly against opponents like the Ottoman Empire. This allows you to weaken Prussia's position without engaging them directly, reducing the risk to your forces.
- Expand your Influence: Work on expanding your influence over German states, both in the north and the south. This can be achieved through diplomatic means, such as forming customs unions and improving relationships. By increasing your influence, you can gain access to valuable resources and strengthen your position against Prussia.
- Naval Buildup: Invest in the development of military shipyards and naval bases along the Baltic coast. Prussia's navy is initially weak, so a naval buildup can give you a significant advantage in any potential conflict. Ensure you have the capabilities to transport your armies effectively.
- Declare War: When you are sufficiently prepared, you may need to declare war on Prussia directly. Choose your timing wisely, ensuring that your forces are well-equipped and that you have advantageous alliances in place. Remember that maintaining good relations with other major powers is crucial to avoid excessive infamy.
- Liberate Nations: During conflicts with Prussia, aim to liberate a number of nations under Prussian control. This will weaken Prussia's position and may lead to those nations joining your cause or becoming your allies.
- Bankroll Minors: Gain influence by financially supporting smaller nations within Prussia's sphere. This can help you build relationships and increase your influence over those territories, potentially swaying them to your side.
- Unify Germany: Ultimately, your goal is to unify Germany under your leadership. By following these steps, you can gain territory from Prussia and establish yourself as a dominant force in the region.
Remember, gaining territory from Prussia as Austria is a complex and challenging endeavor. It requires careful planning, strategic alliances, and effective military and diplomatic maneuvers. Each step must be carefully executed to increase your chances of success.
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Influence minor powers
The unification of Germany and Austria, also known as the "Anschluss", has been a topic of discussion and debate for centuries. The idea of a "Greater Germany" or "Großdeutsche Lösung" implies a dominant position for Catholic Austria, the largest and most powerful German state in the early 19th century. This option was generally favoured by southern states that were either Catholic or Austria-friendly. However, a unification led by Prussia would result in the domination of the new state by the Protestant House of Hohenzollern, which was more acceptable to the Protestant and mostly northern German states.
One key aspect of influencing minor powers is understanding the context and dynamics within the region. After the disastrous Thirty Years' War, the Austrian Habsburg monarchy and Brandenburg-Prussia emerged as rival European powers, with territories extending far beyond the Holy Roman Imperial borders. This rivalry led to the War of the Austrian Succession and persisted through the French Revolution and Napoleon's domination of Europe. The question of unification was not just a constitutional debate but a matter of power dynamics, as Johann Gustav Droysen, a former member of the Frankfurt Parliament, observed.
To influence minor powers effectively, it is crucial to address the concerns and interests of these states. In the context of German unification, the Austrian Empire's inclusion of a large number of non-Germans, such as Hungarians, Czechs, South Slavs, Italians, Poles, and Romanians, presented a complication. The Austrians were reluctant to join a unified Germany if it meant giving up their non-German-speaking territories. Additionally, the idea of a "Greater Germany" faced opposition from the Allies of World War I, who had committed themselves to supporting the self-determination of the Habsburg realm's minorities.
Another strategy for influencing minor powers is to exploit existing tensions and use them to your advantage. For example, in the lead-up to unification, Prussia's Otto von Bismarck successfully exploited the Franco-Prussian War to convince other German states, including Bavaria, to side with Prussia against the Second French Empire. By doing so, he not only secured their support but also weakened Austria's position, as Austria-Hungary did not participate in the war. Bismarck's manoeuvre demonstrated a tactical understanding of the geopolitical landscape and the ability to leverage external conflicts to shape the balance of power in favour of unification.
Furthermore, it is essential to recognise the role of propaganda and public opinion in influencing minor powers. In the context of the "Anschluss," Nazi propaganda played a significant role in shaping Austrian public opinion. Slogans like "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer" ("One People, One Empire, One Leader") contributed to the growing popularity of the idea of a united Austria and Germany, especially after Hitler came to power in Germany. Additionally, the support of influential figures, such as Mussolini, who needed German support in Ethiopia, further bolstered the case for unification.
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Avoid war with France
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, or "Anschluss", has been historically popular in both countries. The unification of Germany in 1871 excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire, leading to the rise of the "Anschluss" proposal. This proposal gained further support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
If you are seeking to form Germany as Austria, avoiding war with France is crucial. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Strengthen your position: Focus on building your power and influence. Invest in your industry, military technology, and war industry. A strong Austria is less likely to be targeted by France.
- Diplomacy and alliances: Cultivate strong diplomatic relationships with potential allies, such as Russia and Bavaria. Alliances can deter France from initiating a conflict.
- Improve relations with France: Engage in diplomatic efforts to improve ties with France. This could involve trade agreements, cultural exchanges, or other initiatives to foster goodwill between the two nations.
- Avoid provocative actions: Refrain from taking actions that France may perceive as threatening. This includes expanding your influence too aggressively or forming alliances against France.
- Mediation and negotiation: In the event of disputes, seek mediation from neutral parties or international organizations. This can help de-escalate tensions and find peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
- Mutual enemies: Identify potential areas of agreement with France, such as a mutual enemy. For example, during the Napoleonic Era, many Germans cooperated with France, even though nationalism was not a strong force in Germany at the time.
By following these strategies, you may be able to avoid war with France while working towards forming Germany as Austria. However, it is important to remain adaptable and responsive to the dynamic nature of international relations.
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Frequently asked questions
You must first knock Prussia out of great power status. To do this, you can declare war on Austria for something minor, like Humiliate, and occupy everything until they fall from great power status. Then, you can add the "Add to Sphere" war goal and peace out. From there, it’s just a matter of bankrolling minors until they like you enough to form Germany culturally.
You can form an alliance with France and secure it fast before Russia allies with them. You can also get Prussia as a subject and reduce their autonomy from Protectorate to Dominion, at which point they will start supporting unification.
Prussia has a stronger army, more reserves, and can research techs faster than Austria, making it very hard to knock them out of great power status. Additionally, it can be challenging to win wars and maintain decent relations with other major powers due to infamy.
To form Germany, you must have an administrative technology of at least 20, not be a subject nation, a nomad nation, at war, or the emperor of the HRE, and own the following core provinces: Hamburg, Rostock, Berlin, Brunswick, Dresden, Thüringen, München, Nürnberg, Hessen, Köln, Pfalz, Augsburg, Frankfurt, Königsberg, or Elsass. Finally, you must have one of the following cultures as your primary culture: Westphalian, Pomeranian, Rhenish, Saxon, Bavarian, Prussian, Swabian, or Franconian.




























