The war of the Duchies is a conflict which opposes Austria and Prussia to the Denmark of February to October 1864. Overcome, this last must yield at the time of the Traité of Vienna the Schleswig-Holstein annexed by the two powers.

Introduction

The duchies of Holstein, (see the Schleswig-Holstein) and Lauenburg, under the cut of the Denmark, return in 1815 in the Germanic Confédération. The duchy of Schleswig, him also under the Danish supervision, claims this adhesion. The Danes, them, want to annex these duchies with their kingdom. In 1846, the king of Denmark Christian VIII évince the German house of Augustenburg, heiress of the duchies.

Antecedent, or First War (1848 - 1850)

Caused by the national movements of 1848, the duchies rise. The Diet, to Frankfurt, sends Prussian and Austrian troops (two Member States of the executive in the Confederation) in order to support the provisional government which constituted itself. A peace treaty is signed on August 26th (Truce of Malmö) under the Russian and British pressure. But the truce is broken by Denmark on July 10th, 1849. Peace is signed in Berlin on July 2nd, 1850, one month later the protocol of London is signed, which rehabilitates the distinctions between the duchies and the Denmark. A second protocol is signed in 1852, which grants the succession of the Duchies to the kingdom of the Denmark and guarantees the autonomy of those. However German nationalism makes pressure for the entry of the Duchies in the Confederation.

Second War

In 1863, the Danish king Frederic VII extends the constitution of Denmark to the duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg; in March, he undertakes the annexation of Schleswig, and of this fact the protocol of London violates. Prussia and Austria launch an ultimatum on January 16th 1864, then declare the war to him. October 30th 1864, peace is signed in Vienna after the defeat of Dybbøl Mølle. The Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein are given respectively to Prussia and Austria.

Consequences

The war of the Duchies placed Prussia on the rails of the German unit, in competition with hesitant Austria. In 1866, Bismarck, Prime Minister for the kingdom of Prussia, by denouncing a bad management of the duchies by Austria, starts the Guerre austro-Prussian, drawing aside the Austria future German Empire.

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