Alliance between Prussia and Württemberg3.1180 Austro-French Convention of June 12,
1866
Alliance Members:Austria-Hungary and France
Signed On:June 12, 1866, in the city of Vienna. In force until August
23, 1866, after the culmination of the Seven Weeks War.
Alliance Type:Neutrality Pact (Type II)
Source:European Diplomatic History 1815–1914: Documents and
Interpretations,p. 181–182.
SUMMARY
This alliance confirmed for Austria that France would stay neutral
during the approaching war with Prussia. Napoleon III of France had
also likely promised neutrality to Bismarck in a private meeting.
Napoleon’s interests focused on the German territories along the
Rhine, and because most believed Austria would be victorious,
France would sit out the war in order to improve its bargaining posi-
tion at any peace settlement. Prussia’s quick victory obviously
thwarted these plans, as France was invited to mediate over a settle-
ment that saw the dissolution of the German Confederation and the
Prussian incorporation of Austria’s allies. Bismarck declined to annex
any Austrian territory.
Alliance Text
Their Majesties, the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and
of Bohemia, and the Emperor of the French, having judged it
appropriate to conclude a secret convention in view of the
events which could arise in Europe, have named as their
plenipotentiaries for this purpose:
His Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, etc., Count von Mens-
dorff-Pouilly, etc.,
and His Majesty, the Emperor of the French, Duke de Gra-
mont, etc.,
Who, after having exchanged their full powers found to be in
good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles:
Article I. If war breaks out in Germany, the French govern-
ment pledges to the Austrian government to preserve an
absolute neutrality and to bend every effort to obtain the same
attitude on the part of Italy.
Article II. If the fortunes of war favor Austria in Germany,
she pledges to cede Venetia to the French government at the
moment when she shall conclude peace. If the fortunes of war
favor [her] in Italy, she pledges not to change the status quo
ante bellum in this kingdom, unless an understanding [exists]
with France.
Article III. If the events of the war should change the rela-
tions of the German Powers among themselves, the Austrian
government pledges to reach an understanding with the French
government before sanctioning territorial rearrangements
which would be of a nature to upset the European equilibrium.
Article IV. The present convention shall be ratified, and the
ratifications of it exchanged at Vienna, with the shortest delay
possible. In faith of which the respective plenipotentiaries have
signed it and have affixed to it their armorial seals.
Done in duplicate at Vienna on the 12th day of June, 1866.
(s.) MENSDORFF.
(s.) GRAMONT.Additional Note
annexed to the Secret Convention between Austria and France
signed on 12 June 1866.
In deciding, with a common accord, the terms of the secret
convention, signed on the 12th of this month, the undersigned
have summed up, in an additional note, certain explications
destined to state precisely the scope of the obligations con-
tracted on both sides and to regulate partly the method of their
execution. This additional note, whose text follows, constitutes
one of the essential elements of the negotiation and of the con-
vention mentioned above, with several of its clauses designed to
become a part of the treaty regulating the eventual cession of
Venetia.
(1)...
(6) If the fortunes of war favor Austria in Germany, the
French government shall sanction all increases of terri-
tory conquered by Austria, provided that they should not
be of a nature to upset the equilibrium of Europe by
establishing an Austrian hegemony which would unite
Germany under a single authority.
(7) In case of territorial re-arrangements, the Austrian rights
of sovereignty of the princes of the Imperial House who
have been dispossessed, shall be able to demand compen-
sations for them everywhere else but in Italy.
Done in duplicate at Vienna on the 12th day of June, 1866.
(s.) MENSDORFF.
(s.) GRAMONT.3.1181 Alliance between Prussia and Württem-
berg
Alliance Members:Prussia and Württemberg
Signed On:August 13, 1866, in the city of Berlin. In force until Würt-
temberg’s entrance into the North German Confederation on Novem-
ber 25, 1870.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 133, p. 28.SUMMARY
As the Seven Weeks War came to a close, Prussia had clearly become
dominant within Germany. Prussia used this newfound hegemony to
create the North German Confederation with its allies from the war,
which thus removed Austria from German affairs. This alliance, and
the several that follow, were formed with several German states that
had been loyal to Austria. Bismarck promised protection to these
countries even though all but Mecklenberg remained outside the
North German Confederation. Four years later, as war with France
became inevitable, each of the German states joined Prussia in a