2. Relations with Russia
Russia and Austria were allies;
Russia helped Austria overcome
the 1848-49 revolutions.
During the 1850s Crimean War,
Russia expected Austrian support.
Austria’s refusal destroyed the
relationship between the two.

3. Politics and economics
Austria could do nothing to
stop the Nationalverein being
set up, which campaigned in
the Bund for German unity.
Austria was also behind
Prussian economically due to
a lack of natural resources.

4. Arguments for influence
If the Russians had supported
Austria, it is less likely that
Bismarck would provoked war.
The weak Austrian economy
also made it harder for them to
influence other states or build
a strong army.

5. Bismarck’s role
Bismarck benefited from the
Zollverein and Austria refusing
to support Russia.
Bismarck allowed Russia to
access Prussian land during a
battle with Polish forces. This
also stopped him worrying
about Poles in German territory.

6. Bismarck’s role
Bismarck also engineered war
between Prussia and Austria. He
refused Austria access to land
secured after the Danish War.
Austria declared war and after
their defeat by Prussia were left
even weaker than before.