Punctation of Olmütz

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The Punctation of Olmütz (Czech: Olomoucká punktace; German: Olmützer Punktation) was a treaty between Prussia and Austria, dated November 29, 1850. The treaty was the result of a conference held in Olmütz in Moravia (now Olomouc, in the Czech Republic). 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 after the Revolutions of 1848, and Prussia had taken the initiative of the Erfurt Union, a Prussia-led federation of German states.

A conflict between the Electoral Prince of Hesse-Kassel and his subjects was the cause for the Austrian chancellor Felix zu Schwarzenberg to further isolate Prussia. Austria 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 Bronzell. 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).