Europe 1866: Outbreak of the Austro-Prussian War

After the war with Denmark, Austria and Prussia were left in control of Schleswig-Holstein. However the Prussian Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck really wanted both duchies and connived to provoke a war with Austria. Most of the German states backed Austria, voting for mobilization against Prussia in the German Federal Diet.

Main Events

9 May 1865 American Civil War ends

American Civil War endsin wikipedia

20 Aug 1865 Gastein Convention gives Holstein to Austria and Schleswig, Kiel and Lauenburg to Prussia

Gastein Convention gives Holstein to Austria and Schleswig, Kiel and Lauenburg to Prussiain wikipedia

8 Apr 1866 Italy and Prussia form alliance against Austria

Italy and Prussia form alliance against Austriain wikipedia

31 May 1866 French withdrawal from Mexico

On 22 January 1866, French Emperor Napoleon III—facing increasing domestic and international pressure to end the French campaign in Mexico—declared his Mexican intervention a success and began preparations for troop withdrawal. In late May and early June, French units were recalled from across Mexico to reassemble in Mexico City and embark from Veracruz. By February 1867, most of the remaining French, Austrian, and Belgian forces had departed for Europe, leaving Emperor Maximilian of Mexico greatly weakened.in wikipedia

7 Jun 1866 Prussia occupies Holstein

Prussia occupies Holsteinin wikipedia

14 Jun 1866 Federal Diet in Germany votes for mobilization against Prussian intervention in Holstein

Federal Diet in Germany votes for mobilization against Prussian intervention in Holsteinin wikipedia