In terms of the economy and military, the Kingdom of Prussia was at an absolute disadvantage. But what about politics?
Even without counting Russia as an ally, the Austrian Empire's influence within the German Confederation alone was beyond anything the Kingdom of Prussia could compare to.
The Austrian Empire's string of victories over recent years had already led many Germans to tacitly accept its leading position. Coupled with its former glory, many political entities favored Austria even more.
Prussia might originally have been able to win over the small states within the German Confederation, but after Dynastic Unification, there were no truly small states left. Every remaining country had its own ambitions and plans.
This greatly increased both the cost and difficulty of buying them over. Bismarck did not even dare to threaten them openly.
It was not that he had grown less courageous, but that Prussia's relative strength had weakened. Threats unsupported by strength would only be seen as bluster.
Not only would they fail to make the other side yield, they would instead invite hostility and contempt—and might even drive them into the arms of one's enemies.
As for Austria's powerful supporter beyond the Confederation—Russia—Bismarck was not particularly concerned.
As a strategist and politician, he knew perfectly well that the alliance between Austria and Russia would sooner or later fall apart, and that the two sides would eventually go to war over leadership of Eastern Europe.
From Poland to the Balkans, any place could become the fuse.
If Prussia wished to rise, Russia was also an indispensable source of support.
Although Bismarck had always opposed the historical Prussia's excessive dependence on Russia, he himself understood that Prussia could not grow stronger without Russia.
In truth, Bismarck originally had another plan: expansion toward the Baltic Sea.
But that would