Peace of Prague (1866)

The Peace of Prague is a closed on August 23, 1866 peace treaty between a coalition of northern German states under the leadership of the Kingdom of Prussia on the one hand and the Empire of Austria on the other hand, who finished together with other agreements between Prussia and the South and Central German states the German war. The measures already taken in the preliminary Peace of Mikulov (26 July 1866) agreements of a reorganization of the German states were manifested world with it.

The Austrian government, which could limit the obligation to pay reparations in the negotiations, was Germany political compromise. It recognized the final dissolution of the German Confederation and had to agree that the situation in Germany without their participation have been redesigned. With respect to the northern half of Germany, the Danube monarchy allowed the ambitious Hohenzollern State to provide extensive annexations: The monarchs of Hanover, Electoral Hesse and Nassau were dethroned, connected its territories to Prussia. In addition, Austria renounced in favor of Prussia on his rights to Schleswig and Holstein, so that they could be attached to the Prussian State - as well as the previously Free City of Frankfurt. On intervention of Napoleon III. provided in Article 5 of the Treaty, the people of Northern Slesvig a referendum on a possible connection to Denmark (but canceled Prussia and Austria the clause in 1878 by mutual agreement ) in view.

The Habsburg monarchy suffered no territorial losses in the Peace of Prague towards Prussia - other than in relation to Prussia 's ally Italy, the Veneto acquired. Prussia's policy aimed at a strategic reconciliation with Austria, to a long-term hedge its own southern border, but finally succeeded only after the founding of the German Empire in 1871.

Prussia expansionist milestone was also achieved, since Austria recognized the North German Confederation formed on 18 August 1866 and thus supremacy of Prussia in many parts of Germany. It also accepted a future " National Association " of the North German Confederation with the southern German states to be united Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse -Darmstadt, but it should be their " international independent existence " not touched. Otto von Bismarck took the Main Line border for the Prussian influence, especially with regard to the demands of the French Emperor Napoleon III. down. However, this line has been crossed already in the late summer of 1866, through the conclusion of protection and Trutzbündnissen between Prussia and the three southern states ( with Hesse -Darmstadt in the spring of 1867).

As envisaged in the Peace of Prague union of these southern states to the so-called Southern Confederation (also: Southern German Confederation) found no serious support in the governments of Baden and Württemberg. As the newly appointed Bavarian Minister President Clovis was minded to Hohenlohe rather " small German " striving ( against intra- Bavarian resistors ) and no supremacy of Bavaria in southern Germany, failed this conception. The independence -related contract clause remained in view of the further expansion of the operated von Bismarck angliedernden integration ( such as the creation of the Customs Parliament ) waste. Austria's courtship of his allies in 1866 was unsuccessful.

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