The Austro-Prussian War (14 June-23 August 1866), also known as the Seven Weeks' War, was a conflict between Prussia and Austria for hegemony over the German-speaking world, resulting in a Prussian victory and the formation of the North German Confederation. The war was caused by disagreements over the rulership of the Schleswig-Holstein region in the aftermath of the Second Schleswig War, as well as by Otto von Bismarck's desire to assert Prussian influence over the small German states and Italy's strong sense of irridentism concerning the Veneto region. 500,000 Prussian and German troops were mobilized to fight against the 600,000 Austrian and German troops, and the skilled general Helmuth von Moltke managed to defeat larger German armies from Hanover and Bavaria before turning his attention to the Austrians. At the Battle of Koniggratz on 3 July 1866, Moltke destroyed Ludwig von Benedek's Austrian army, forcing Austria to make peace with the alliance. Prussia annexed parts of large German states such as Bavaria and Hanover, while Italy gained Veneto. The war led to Prussia forming the North German Federation with its allied states, while Austria was forced to form the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary due to an increase in Hungarian nationalism. The war effectively marked the end of Austria as a powerbroker in Europe and the resurgence of Prussia.
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