 In mid-June of 1866 war broke out between Austria and Prussia over the administration of Schleswig and Holstein and the future of the German Confederation.Italy took advantage of the situation by siding with Prussia in the conflict, declaring war on Austria on 20 June.The Italian government hoped that the ongoing Austro-Prussian campaign would allow their armies to flank the Austrian forces, seizing Venice, Friuli, Trentino, and Trieste with little difficulty.