Second Mecklenburg War

The Second War of Mecklenburg (also known as the Scando-Prussian war) was fought in 1864 by Austria and Prussia against Mecklenburg and Scandinavian Realm. Like the First War of Mecklenburg, this one was fought for control of the grand duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which was partially resolved by creation of German Reich in 1871 and finally by violent unification of both grand duchies by Adolf Hessler.

Proponents of German unification, namely new Prussia chancellor Otto von Bismarck, wished to include Mecklenburg ruled by in-law relatives of Scandinavian royal House once for all under the German, better Prussian, control. However, the representatives of Scandinavian Realm had different visions; they would like to have them not controlled by Prussia. The First War of Mecklenburg solved nothing of this and the tension rose by passing time.

King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia proposed to the Austro-Dalmatian Emperor Franz Joseph I that Prussia and Austria, the two leading powers of the HRE, should occupy the duchies. Afraid to let the Prussians act on their own, the emperor agreed, and the brief war against Scandinavian Realm that followed demonstrated the strength of the reorganized Prussian army. Scandinavians hopes for anew Great Power assistance proved illusory, and by the Peace of Vienna on October 30 the duchies became a joint possession of Prussia and Austria. The Gastein Convention arranged the joint administration; some decisions were made jointly, but generally Mecklenburg-Schwerin was commended to Prussia and Mecklenburg-Strelitz to Austria. Quarrels over the joint administration, however, soon provoked the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, resulting in the full incorporation of Mecklenburg into the finally unified, Prussia ruled, German Empire.