Bismarck and the German Unific

In order to do this he had to secure the alliance or the neutrality of all other continental powers.
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             The first opportunity to do this came immediately, in the Alvensheben Convention of 1863. Prussia allowed Russia to pass through Prussian terrain in pursuit of Polish rebels. This gave Prussia a more favourable position with Russia and contrasted to Austria's lack of actions in the Crimean War. Therefore Bismarck had successfully secured Russia cooperation with Prussia and alienated the apathetic Austria. Next Bismarck secured French neutrality at talks with Napoleon III at Biarritz in October of 1865. Here Bismarck told Napoleon that he could seek compensation (for Prussian dominance over Germany) "everywhere French is spoken". Since Napoleon desired to expand beyond the "natural frontiers of France" and wanted to remain at peace with Prussia he agreed to remain neutral in case of a Austro-Prussian conflict. Finally Bismarck also succeeded in insuring Italian support in a "possible" war with Austria. Since Italy was seeking unification, Bismarck promised Italy that she would receive Venetia in the event of a Prussian victory in the war. Now all preparations for a war had been made, and Bismarck was confident that he would only be fighting Austria on one front. Yet he still needed a motive to attack Austria, although he had secured the neutrality of France and Russia, their reaction to an unjustified attack on Austria was not predictable.
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             The motive Bismarck had been looking for soon presented itself in the form of the Schleswig-Holstein situation. When Denmark attacked Holstein, Bismarck urged Austria to assist Prussia in the conflict, which it did, leading to a rather quick end of the war. Bismarck knew Austria would come to help, because it was still the head of the German Confederation and a lack of concern in this case would probably cause further Austrian separation from the German states.