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How did Prussia defeat Austria in the Seven Weeks' War?

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Historical map showing the unification of Germany by Prussia in the late 19th century. The map highlights in green the Kingdom of Prussia as of 1866, and in yellow the additional territories that formed the German Empire by 1871-1918, encompassing most of north-central Europe. Neighboring countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Switzerland are labeled, with major regions and states within the empire clearly marked. — Prussia The unification of Germany by Prussia, which brought most of north-central Europe into one kingdom.

Prussia defeated Austria in the 1866 Seven Weeks' War through a combination of superior military technology, strategic planning, and diplomatic maneuvering.

Key factors in the Prussian victory included:

Technological Advantage: The Prussian infantry was equipped with the breech-loading needle gun, which offered a significantly higher rate of fire compared to the muzzle-loading rifles used by the Austrian forces.12
Strategic Use of Railways: Under the guidance of Helmuth von Moltke, Prussia utilized railways to rapidly deploy and supply large numbers of troops across a wide front, allowing for more complex and effective maneuvers than previously possible.31
Military Organization: Moltke implemented a system of general directives, granting subordinates greater initiative and flexibility, which proved more effective than the rigid command structures of the time.3
Diplomatic Strategy: Otto von Bismarck secured an alliance with Italy, forcing Austria to divert significant military resources to a southern front.42

These advantages culminated in the decisive Battle of Königgrätz, where the Prussian army routed the Austrian forces, effectively ending the war in just seven weeks.412