German Dualism

Meeting of German Monarchs, Frankfurt 1864As war heated up between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire, it was clear that the members of the German Confederation would end up being involved one way or another. Both Prussia and Austria pressed the petty Kingdoms and Duchies to pick a side, while many preached total neutrality, and others still wished to go so far as to set up a unified Kingdom, seperate from both Prussia and Austria. But with almost all of Europe engaging in the war, it was obvious that blood would be shed on German soil, and that neutrality was not an option. A meeting held in early 1864 in Frankfurter failed to achieve any solidarity amongst the members, and eventually lines were drawn. Most of the southern members sided with Austria, while the northern states sided with Prussia.
States aligning with Prussia:Kingdom of Saxony
Kingdom of Hanover
Grand Duchy Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Grand Duchy of Oldenburg
Saxony-Anhalt
Duchy of Brunswick
Various other minor states
Total Population: 7,001,663
Reserves: 210,000
States aligning with AustriaKingdom of Bavaria
Kingdom of Württemberg
Grand Duchy of Hesse
Grand Duchy of Baden
Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen
Duchy of Nassau
Various other minor states
Total Population: 4,682,761
Reserves: 144,000