Christian Stecher

Research Topic

The Austro-Prussian Paradox: Balancing Rivalry and Alliance at the Zenith of German Dualism, 1848–1879.

Supervisor: Peter H. Wilson

My dissertation examines a heretofore under-researched paradox at the heart of German federal history: the simultaneous conflict and cooperation between the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Prussia as the dual hegemons of the German Confederation. While conventional historiography often emphasizes their competition (culminating in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866) this study challenges the prevailing narrative by highlighting their enduring diplomatic collaboration. Through the lens of New Diplomatic History, the research shifts focus from high politics and grand strategy to the individual diplomats who shaped Austro-Prussian relations from 1848 to 1879. By dissecting the motivations and interactions of key diplomatic figures, this research argues that Austro-Prussian relations were not defined solely by rivalry but rather by a complex interplay of competition and cooperation. Ultimately, this dissertation challenges conventional narratives surrounding the German Question and reframes Austro-Prussian relations as a dynamic and evolving partnership, rather than one on an inevitable trajectory toward conflict.

Academic Profile

MSt in History, University of Cambridge (2024)

BA in History, Portland State University (2020)

Biography

I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. After graduating college with a Bachelor of Arts in History, I moved to Berlin in order to immerse myself in the local culture and language of Germany before going on to earn my MSt in History from the University of Cambridge. Now I am working on my DPhil here at Oxford, research German Dualism and the diplomatic histories of Austria and Prussia during the German unification period under Peter Wilson of All Souls College.