Punctation of Olmütz
Encyclopedia
The Punctation of Olmütz , also called the Agreement of Olmütz, was a treaty between Prussia
and Austria
, dated 29 November 1850, by which Prussia abandoned the Erfurt Union
and accepted the revival of the German Confederation
under Austrian leadership.
The treaty was the result of a conference held in Olmütz (Olomouc) in the Austrian Margraviate of Moravia
. It is also known as the "humiliation of Olmütz", as the treaty was seen by many as a capitulation of the Prussians to the Austrians. The reason for the treaty was a conflict between Prussia and Austria about the leadership in the German Confederation. The confederation, dominated by Austria, had been dissolved in the Revolutions of 1848 and partially succeeded by the Frankfurt Assembly. After the Frankfurt Assembly failed, Prussia in early 1850 had taken the initiative of the Erfurt Union, a Prussia-led federation of most German states.
A conflict between the Electoral Prince of Hesse-Kassel
(or Hesse-Cassel) and his subjects was the cause for the Austrian chancellor Felix zu Schwarzenberg to further isolate Prussia. Austrian and allied armies advanced into Electoral Hesse. On 8 November 1850, the Prussian army had come close to war with Bavaria
(an ally of Austria) near Fulda
-Bronnzell. Prussia decided thereupon to give in. This development had occurred also because Czar
Nicholas I of Russia
had chosen the side of Austria in the Warsaw
negotiations in October 1850. In the Punctation, Prussia gave up its claim for the leadership of the German states. At the same time the German Confederation
was restored. Prussia submitted to Austria leadership of the confederation, agreed to demobilise; agreed to partake in the intervention of the German Diet in Hesse and Holstein
; and renounced any resumption of her union policy (abandoning the idea of the Erfurt Union).
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
and Austria
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
, dated 29 November 1850, by which Prussia abandoned the Erfurt Union
Erfurt Union
The Erfurt Union was a short-lived union of German states under a federation, proposed by the Kingdom of Prussia at Erfurt, for which the Erfurt Union Parliament , lasting from March 20 to April 29, 1850, was opened...
and accepted the revival of the German Confederation
German Confederation
The German Confederation was the loose association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. It acted as a buffer between the powerful states of Austria and Prussia...
under Austrian leadership.
The treaty was the result of a conference held in Olmütz (Olomouc) in the Austrian Margraviate of Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
. It is also known as the "humiliation of Olmütz", as the treaty was seen by many as a capitulation of the Prussians to the Austrians. The reason for the treaty was a conflict between Prussia and Austria about the leadership in the German Confederation. The confederation, dominated by Austria, had been dissolved in the Revolutions of 1848 and partially succeeded by the Frankfurt Assembly. After the Frankfurt Assembly failed, Prussia in early 1850 had taken the initiative of the Erfurt Union, a Prussia-led federation of most German states.
A conflict between the Electoral Prince of Hesse-Kassel
Hesse-Kassel
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Cassel was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half and the...
(or Hesse-Cassel) and his subjects was the cause for the Austrian chancellor Felix zu Schwarzenberg to further isolate Prussia. Austrian and allied armies advanced into Electoral Hesse. On 8 November 1850, the Prussian army had come close to war with Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
(an ally of Austria) near Fulda
Fulda
Fulda is a city in Hesse, Germany; it is located on the river Fulda and is the administrative seat of the Fulda district .- Early Middle Ages :...
-Bronnzell. Prussia decided thereupon to give in. This development had occurred also because Czar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
had chosen the side of Austria in the Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
negotiations in October 1850. In the Punctation, Prussia gave up its claim for the leadership of the German states. At the same time the German Confederation
German Confederation
The German Confederation was the loose association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. It acted as a buffer between the powerful states of Austria and Prussia...
was restored. Prussia submitted to Austria leadership of the confederation, agreed to demobilise; agreed to partake in the intervention of the German Diet in Hesse and Holstein
Holstein
Holstein is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider. It is part of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany....
; and renounced any resumption of her union policy (abandoning the idea of the Erfurt Union).