The Austro-Prussian war began mid-June 1866 as a consequence of power struggles between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia inside the German Confederation, and which the Kingdom of Italy joined with the intent of gaining territory. The war ended after seven weeks with a decisive Prussian victory, which in turn led to the aforementioned to become the undisputed master over Germany and the nucleus of the future unification of Germany. Italy, although defeated on land and sea, gained the territory she was after. Austria, as the defeated party, was forced to compromise with the Magyars and a reformation of the Empire into the dual Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The war left quite an impact in the development of military affairs as well, since the speed of victory accomplished by the reformed Prussian Army shocked the world which was convinced that will end with an Austrian victory after years of bloody struggle. How shocking the Prussian victory was, is telling by the rapid development of armaments and military organization in the next couple of years after the conflict of 1866 ended.