In the first half of the 1860s, Austria and Prussia both contended to speak for the German states; both maintained they could support German interests abroad and protect German interests at home.
在1860年代前半段，奥地利和普鲁士都试图为德意志诸国代言；两国都认为自己能够在海外支持，在国内保护德意志的利益。