The Austro-Prussian War was a war between Prussia and Italy on the one hand and the German Confederation under the leadership of the Austrian Empire on the other hand. It lasted from 14th of June until the 23rd of August 1866. Due to better logistics and better equipment the Prussian army emerged victorious at nearly every battle, especially at the war's main battle, the battle of Königgrätz, where the Prussian army archived an devastating victory against the Austrian forces.

The Peace of Prague on August 23, 1866 resulted in the dissolution of the German Confederation, Prussian annexation of many of Austria's former allies, and the permanent exclusion of Austria from German affairs.

The major result of the war was the end of a German dualism and a shift in power among the German states away from Austrian and towards Prussian hegemony,with the dissolution of the German Confederation and the unification of entire northern Germany in the North German Confederation under Prussian supremacy .