- Under the influence of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria pushes the Großdeutsche Lösung, or Greater German Decision, gaining political control over many lesser German states - Bavaria, Baden, and Wurtemberg are annexed by the Austrian Empire. Wary of Austria’s growing power, Prussia enforces strict trade agreements on its German allies. The states of Saxony, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Oldenburg, and Bremen are officially under the political influence of Austria. Prussia secretly begins the widespread mobilization of their military, fearing that Austria will try to enforce the Empire’s policies in Prussia through war.