The Austro-Prussian War (1866) marked a new development in the European power struggle. While Prussia demonstrated that it was one of the strongest powers, Austria's defeat revealed the problems in its internal-political as well as international position. Italy exploited Austria's weakness to make territorial gains. In his reports, the nuncio in Vienna mentioned some important issues: the ongoing national controversies within the monarchy, the danger from German communities wishing to join with Germany, and the spectre of a European war. In many cases his concerns would become reality.