Western Civilization II / Unit 11 WC2 1012 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Prussia Against Austria, 1866: Why Bismarck Did Not March on Vienna
Captions available
The idea
Bismarck goaded Austria into war over Schleswig-Holstein, taken from Denmark in eighteen sixty-four. Prussia's modernized army beat Austria in about seven weeks. Then Bismarck stopped his king from marching on Vienna. The aim was Austria out of Germany, not Austria conquered.
In practice
The anchor: "a perfect example of Realpolitik".
Where people slip
The battle, Königgrätz, is unnamed by the anchor and disclosed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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