Bismarck's Strategic Dilemma: Why Not Vienna?

Prussia's priority should be to destroy Austria as a leading German power. Bismarck saw his first opportunity to undercut Vienna’s position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. Bismarck advocated for a policy that would weaken Austria and allow for a rearrangement of the Vienna settlement.

Prussia's priority was to destroy Austria as a leading German power

After his accession to power in 1862, Bismarck saw his first opportunity to further undercut Vienna’s position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. The crisis, which was caused by Denmark’s annexation of Schleswig, came at a time when the German states were locked in a debate about constitutional reform. According to Bismarck, Austria was the main brake on Prussia’s ambition to gain the leadership it craved in Northern Germany, with an eye on harnessing the resources of that area. He thus advocated for a policy that would weaken Austria and allow for a rearrangement of the Vienna settlement.

Through the Convention of Bad Gastein of 14 August 1865 with Austria (131 CTS 343), Prussia gained control over Schleswig as well as the Duchy of Lauenburg, located between Holstein and Prussian territory. This success, however, only served to whet the appetite of a growing part of the Prussian government and military command. Moreover, the time for a war with Austria was propitious as the empire was riddled with nationalist unrest and was very nearly bankrupt.

Nationalist unrest and bankruptcy in the Austrian Empire made war propitious

The joint administration of Schleswig-Holstein by Austria and Prussia immediately became a source of constant struggle and tedious negotiations which formed a platform for Bismarck to convince others in Berlin that destroying Austria as a leading German power should be Prussia’s priority. Through the Convention of Bad Gastein of 14 August 1865 with Austria, Prussia gained control over Schleswig as well as the Duchy of Lauenburg, located between Holstein and Prussian territory. This success, however, only served to whet the appetite of a growing part of the Prussian government and military command.

Moreover, the time for a war with Austria was propitious as the empire was riddled with nationalist unrest and was very nearly bankrupt. Bismarck advocated for a policy that would weaken Austria and allow for a rearrangement of the Vienna settlement. After his accession to power in 1862, Bismarck saw his first opportunity to further undercut Vienna’s position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863.

Bismarck saw Vienna's position in the German Confederation as a brake on Prussia's ambitions

The joint administration of Schleswig-Holstein by Austria and Prussia immediately became a source of constant struggle and tedious negotiations which formed a platform for Bismarck to convince others in Berlin that destroying Austria as a leading German power should be Prussia’s priority. Through the Convention of Bad Gastein of 14 August 1865 with Austria (131 CTS 343), Prussia gained control over Schleswig as well as the Duchy of Lauenburg, located between Holstein and Prussian territory. This success, however, only served to whet the appetite of a growing part of the Prussian government and military command. Moreover, the time for a war with Austria was propitious as the empire was riddled with nationalist unrest and was very nearly bankrupt.

Bismarck's first opportunity to further undercut Vienna's position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. The crisis, which was caused by Denmark's annexation of Schleswig, came at a time when the German states were locked in a debate about constitutional reform. Bismarck's first opportunity to further undercut Vienna's position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. The crisis, which was caused by Denmark's annexation of Schleswig, came at a time when the German states were locked in a debate about constitutional reform. Bismarck's first opportunity to further undercut Vienna's position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. The crisis, which was caused by Denmark's annexation of Schleswig, came at a time when the German states were locked in a debate about constitutional reform.

Bismarck published the terms of the Dual Alliance to prevent war between Austria and Russia

In 1888, Bismarck published the terms of the Dual Alliance to prevent war between Austria and Russia. The terms stated that Austria would fight on its own if it attacked Russia, while Russia would have to face Germany if it attacked Austria.

Bismarck's decision to publish the terms of the Dual Alliance was influenced by his ambition to weaken Austria and allow for a rearrangement of the Vienna settlement. He believed that Austria was the main brake on Prussia's ambition to gain leadership in Northern Germany and wanted to undercut Vienna's position within the German Confederation.

The Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863 provided an opportunity for Bismarck to further his goals. The crisis, caused by Denmark's annexation of Schleswig, led to constant struggle and tedious negotiations between Austria and Prussia. This provided a platform for Bismarck to convince others in Berlin that destroying Austria as a leading German power should be Prussia's priority.

However, Bismarck's actions were not without challenges. Events began to move against him as it was very difficult to keep on good terms with Russia. The new emperor, William II, was more anti-Russian, and French loans were funding Russian industrialization.

Despite these challenges, Bismarck's publication of the terms of the Dual Alliance was a significant step in his goal to prevent war between Austria and Russia and weaken Austria's position.

Bismarck resigned as Chancellor in 1890 and refused to renew the Reinsurance Treaty

In 1888, Bismarck published the terms of the Dual Alliance to prevent war between Austria and Russia. The treaty stated that Austria would fight on its own if it attacked Russia, while Russia would have to face Germany if it attacked Austria. However, events were beginning to move against Bismarck as it was very difficult to keep on good terms with Russia. The new emperor, William II, was more anti-Russian while French loans were funding Russian industrialization. In 1890, when Bismarck resigned as Chancellor, one of Kaiser William's first acts was to refuse to renew the Reinsurance Treaty. Only four months later, a French naval flotilla called at the Russian naval base at Kronstadt.

Bismarck advocated for a policy that would weaken Austria and allow for a rearrangement of the Vienna settlement. After his accession to power in 1862, Bismarck saw his first opportunity to further undercut Vienna’s position within the German Confederation with the Schleswig-Holstein crisis at the end of 1863. The crisis, which was caused by Denmark’s annexation of Schleswig, came at a time when the German states were locked in a debate about constitutional reform. The joint administration of Schleswig-Holstein by Austria and Prussia immediately became a source of constant struggle and tedious negotiations which formed a platform for Bismarck to convince others in Berlin that destroying Austria as a leading German power should be Prussia’s priority. Through the Convention of Bad Gastein of 14 August 1865 with Austria (131 CTS 343), Prussia gained control over Schleswig as well as the Duchy of Lauenburg, located between Holstein and Prussian territory. This success, however, only served to whet the appetite of a growing part of the Prussian government and military command. Moreover, the time for a war with Austria was propitious as the empire was riddled with nationalist unrest and was very nearly bankrupt.

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