In July 1866, Prussia and Austria engaged in the Battle of Königgrätz (in Eastern Bohemia, close to the Elbe) as part of a power struggle under the direction of the Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The chancellor aimed to expand the German lands to establish an Empire with unparalleled power. With three times the manpower compared to the Battle of Austerlitz, this Austro-Prussian war caused significant human and material damage on both sides.
Austria was defeated, thanks in part to a highly modern Prussian arsenal and a meticulously planned battle strategy by Bismarck. The conflict sent shockwaves across Europe, impacting financial markets in London and Paris. Four years later, Prussia turned its attention to France, reigniting old resentments from previous defeats (notably Jena). France would lose Alsace and Lorraine in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
Why Did the Battle of Königgrätz Take Place?
The roots of the conflict between Prussia and Austria trace back to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, where Europe’s map was redrawn. Initially allies against Denmark in the War of the Duchies, tensions arose when Prussia occupied territory that rightfully belonged to the Czech Republic (Holstein). Austria mobilized its army, and on June 19, 1866, Prussia officially declared war. This marked the beginning of the Austro-Prussian War (June 1866–August 1866). Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck aimed to dominate the German territories at the expense of Austria, seeking to unify Germany around Prussia while excluding Austrian lands.
A few months before the battle, in October 1865, Bismarck met with Napoleon III during the Biarritz meeting. Despite a courteous but chilly exchange, the emperor aligned with the chancellor’s stance on Austria and Venetia. However, when negotiations took place at Nikolsburg at the end of the Austro-Prussian War, Napoleon III participated and arbitrated discussions. It was agreed that Austria would cede Venetia to France, later to be transferred to Italy, in the Treaty of Vienna on October 3, 1866, as a direct transfer was politically unfeasible.
How Did the Battle of Königgrätz Unfold?
General Helmuth von Moltke’s Prussian forces squared off against General Ludwig von Benedek’s Austrian forces on July 3, 1866, close to Königgrätz (Bohemia). Initially undermanned due to late notification, the Prussians faced significant pressure. Von Moltke’s plan involved positioning his troops in an arc along the Prussian railway, aiming to encircle the enemy. The battle commenced with a Prussian attack in the Swiepwald woods, followed by the capture of the village of Königgrätz.
In the late morning, the missing Prussian troops arrived as reinforcements. Around 1 pm, the decisive blow fell on the Austrian army with the capture of Chlum, where the remaining troops faced significant difficulties. Despite this setback, von Benedek did not alter his plans, and the Prince of Saxony launched a final attack, resulting in another failure. Around 3 pm, Benedek finally ordered a general retreat for his army.
Who Won the Battle of Königgrätz?
Despite the surprise of the rapid mobilization of the Austrian army, General von Moltke’s troops emerged victorious in the Battle of Königgrätz. Weaponry and warfare strategies were undergoing significant changes. Moltke’s encircling tactic broke from the conventional line technique of advancing in squares or rectangles. Captains and lieutenants had more decision-making authority in cases requiring urgent reactions. Firearms relegated the bayonet to a secondary role.
The firing rate of Prussian weapons, lacking in Austrian piston rifles, left them no chance. Moltke’s men were equipped with needle-fired Dreyse rifles, reloadable from the breech (while lying down), allowing them to fire 6 to 8 shots per minute. Prussia owed its victory to its encirclement technique, the arrival of the second army, and, notably, a new generation of artillery.
—>The Prussian Army, under the strategic brilliance of Helmuth von Moltke, utilized advanced infantry tactics, notably the use of the Needle Gun, and effectively countered Austrian cavalry charges. They outmaneuvered and defeated the Austrian forces.
How Many Casualties Were There in the Battle of Königgrätz?
With an initial force of 220,984 (Page 187) Prussian soldiers and 206,100 (Page 186) on the Austrian side, nearly 8,000 deaths occurred in this battle, with only a quarter on the Prussian side. While the Austrian camp received reinforcements from the Saxon county, the casualties included:
- Almost 7,000 wounded Prussians against 8,500 wounded Austrians.
- 278 missing on the Prussian side, compared to just over 7,800 on the Austrian side.
- The loss of 940 Prussian horses against 6,000 Austrian horses.
Additionally, 116 cannons were destroyed on the side of the defeated, and over 22,000 prisoners were captured.
What Were the Consequences of the Battle of Königgrätz?
The power struggle between Austria and Prussia concluded after the Battle of Königgrätz. Prussian Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck even refrained from humiliating Austria and demanded no territorial concessions. He feared retaliation from Austria in alliance with France. The German Confederation gave way to the North German Confederation in the Treaty of Prague on August 23, 1866, initiated by Bismarck. Austria was excluded, but the Kingdom of Saxony remained preserved and independent.
A military alliance was formed through the confederation, comprising 22 states, including Saxon territories. Austrian Marshal Ludwig von Benedek bore the responsibility for the failure of this war with the defeat at Königgrätz. The emperor’s decision to suspend the war council that was deciding his fate gave Benedek the order to keep quiet about the conflict until his death. Austrian territory lost Venetia, which was ceded to Italy.
—>The Prussian victory at Königgrätz weakened Austrian influence in German affairs and paved the way for the establishment of the North German Confederation, a crucial step toward the eventual unification of Germany.
Why Was the Battle of Königgrätz a Threat to France?
Economically, the year 1866 was a catastrophe, causing a financial crisis due to the war. The consequences in France were significant, with the bankruptcies of major stockbrokers and the collapse of the bond market. Sixty years earlier, in October 1806, the Battle of Jena pitted France against Prussia during the War of the Fourth Coalition. Napoleon Bonaparte was up against the Prussians under General Hohenlohe’s command. This defeat left a bitter taste for the Prussians, whose thirst for conquest was not quenched.
Tensions rose between France and the Kingdom of Prussia. The French Empire declared war on July 19, 1870, with a smaller and poorly prepared military force. The Franco-Prussian War concluded with a defeat at Sedan in September and an armistice signed on January 26, 1871. This included the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine by the German Empire.
