Austro-Prussian War

The Austro-Prussian War (also known by many other names like the Seven Weeks' War, German Civil War, Brothers War or Fraternal War, known in Germany as  ("German War"),  (; "German war of brothers")) was a war fought in 1866 between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Each side was helped by many allies in the German Confederation. Prussia was also allied with the Kingdom of Italy, which connected the conflict to the Third War of Independence of Italian unification.

The Austro-Prussian War was part of the rivalry between Austria and Prussia and with Prussian control over the German states.

The most important result was a change in power over the German states from Austrian to Prussian hegemony. The German Confederation was ended and replaced by the North German Confederation. Italy also took the Austrian province of Venetia after the war.

The war started when Prussian troops invaded Schleswig-Holstein. The region had been disputed between Prussia and Austria ever since both had taken it from Denmark. Prussia then invaded the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Saxony, and the Electorate of Hesse on 15 June. Italy declared war on Austria on 20 June.

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Category:19th century in Germany
Category:Wars involving Italy
Category:1866 in Europe