The German Confederation was created in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna.  The purpose was to consolidate the many Germanic States and create a powerful military alliance capable of defeating France in future wars.  The Confederation reduced the number of Germanic states from over 200 to approximately 39 states committed to defending the German Confederation from opposing military forces.  The states were given limited power so that no one state could dominate the Confederation.  Over time, tension between Austria and Prussia began to divide the Confederation.