The origins of the rise of Bavarian nationalism as a strong political movement were in the Austro-Prussian War and its aftermath.[6] Bavaria was politically and culturally closer to Catholic Austria than Protestant Prussia and the Bavarians shared with the Austrians a common contempt towards the Prussians, leading Bavaria to ally with Austria in the war.[6] Austria along with Bavaria and its other allies were defeated by Prussia and its allies.[6] In the aftermath Bavaria paid a large indemnity to Prussia and joined the Prussian-founded German Empire in 1871.[6] After unification with Germany in 1871, Bavarian nationalists were adamantly opposed to the Prussian-domination of the German state and refused further integration into the German Empire.[6]