Bismarcks diplomatic policy

        Over the winter of 1865-6 relations between Prussia and Austria deteriorated. Austria now wanted a policy of confrontation but it did this from a weak position as it had no allies and was in a very poor economic state. This was not thanks to Bismarck, however, and so therefore his diplomatic skill did not lead to this situation. The state of Prussia at this hostile time was also a factor that was responsible for bringing about the defeat of Austria in 1866. However, at this time Bismarck did lay the foundations for war, to his credit. He made a secret alliance with Italy in April 1866, with which Italy agreed to follow Prussia if it declared was on Austria within 3 months. Bismarck, showing yet more diplomatic skill, then increased the tension with Austria over Holstein. In response to this the Austrians mobilised unilaterally in April and Prussia responded to this in May. By now tension was reaching very high levels and this was all down to Bismarck's diplomatic manoeuvring. The move by Austria made them seem like the aggressor to other countries and this did not help them to get aid from other countries in the future. Thus, because of his ability to create a fictitious relationship with Austria, Bismarck's diplomatic skill was a large factor in bringing about the defeat of Austria in 1866, as a tense atmosphere was more likely to spark off a war in conditions that already favoured Prussia.

        However, Bismarck was incredibly fortunate as he had an excellent fitting outfit in the Prussian army. The army improved greatly in fighting capacity in the early 1860s thanks to General Moltke and War Minister Roon, who ensured the army was increased, better trained and well armed. At the battle of Sadowa on 3 July 1866 the Prussian army used affective pincer tactics and had a new breech-loading needle gun that fired five times greater than any Austrian weapons. Austrian casualties numbered 45,000 whilst Prussian casualties numbered 9000. Thus, Bismarck's diplomatic skill played no part in this important factor that contributed to the defeat of Austria.

        Austria grew weaker and weaker after the 1848 revolutions, economically and politically. Its economy was mainly agriculture based with few industrial sites, which were mostly confined to the western regions. This was backward for the time. Austria had mounting financial problems to add to this as well. The leaders of Austria made many mistakes in the Seven Weeks War, failing to capitalise on several opportunities to annihilate the Prussian Army that had been split up for the purpose of quick movement. This proved that the leader were and neither diplomatic nor political skill. This shows that Bismarck was fortunate enough to be facing an opposition in such a state. It can therefore be said that little diplomatic skill would necessarily be required to outmanoeuvre an Austria that was in a dire political and economic state.

        Bismarck was also very fortunate that the Prussian economy had grown so strong. In the 1850s and 1860s Prussian economic growth was far better than that of Austria and France. It was producing more steel and coal than Austria and had a much more extensive railway system. In 1865 it had 15,000 steam engines, whilst Austria had 3,400. This huge economic advantage allowed Prussia it get the military resources needed to challenge Austria. However, Bismarck did not need diplomatic skill to utilise the great fortune (that he had been lucky enough to gain) to his advantage. Therefore, this factor also contributed greatly towards the defeat of Austria in 1866.

        The international situation in the 1860s also helped Bismarck and Prussia bring about the defeat of Austria in 1866. Prussia in 1862 was seen as a second-rate power and this helped Bismarck as he could use his diplomatic skill to improve the position of Prussia in the German Confederation without arousing the hostility of Prussia's neighbours. These "neighbours" included Britain, who, in the 1860s, had adopted a non-interventionist view point to continental affairs and feared little from Prussia, and also Russia, who were only concerned with home affairs, rather than committing itself to foreign policy in central Europe. Therefore, the international climate favoured Prussia in the 1860s as it allowed Bismarck to build up a strong Prussia, without alerting to much negative attention from neighbouring European countries.

        In conclusion, there were a number of factors that were responsible for Prussian victory over Austria in 1866. Bismarck's diplomatic skill did play a significant role in bringing about the defeat of Austria; however, this was not the only reason why Prussia was able to claim victory over Austria. The international situation at the time favoured Prussia immensely, as it allowed Bismarck to carry out his actions to improve the Prussian position in the German Confederation without alerting the neighbouring European countries to a possible threat, as Prussia at this time was seen as a second-rate power. He was also helped by an excellent General in Moltke and the ability of War Minister Roon, who both contributed greatly to the Prussian military. Austria also made many mistakes in the Seven Weeks War, and this coupled with the weaknesses that had become all to prevalent in Austria since the 1848 revolutions, allowed Bismarck and his army to capitalise on the opportunity presented and defeat Austria in 1866. Also, whilst Austria had declined as an economic power, Prussia had grown as one. This allowed Bismarck to gain military resources with relative easy, which was one of the most important factors in bringing about the defeat of Austria. Therefore, Bismarck's diplomatic skill was a key factor in bringing about the defeat of Austria in 1866; however, there were several other key factors that played important roles in this Prussian victory, and so thus, Austria was defeated in 1866 as a result of a combination of factors, with Bismarck's diplomatic skill being one of the most important reasons for Prussian victory.