Relying on the contribution of troops, equipment, and funds from all Confederation states, coordinating the German Federal Army was very difficult and the small states were heavily reliant on the two German Great Powers of Prussia and Austria, each of whom had their own foreign policy goals independent of the Confederation. With the weakness brought into sharp focus by France's sabre-rattling in the west, calls for further integration in the Confederation gained some strength. Some steps were taken to increase military preparedness and strengthen cooperation.
Reliance on troops, equipment, and funds from all Confederation states made coordinating the German Federal Army challenging, and the smaller states were heavily dependent on Prussia and Austria, each with their own foreign policy objectives separate from the Confederation. The vulnerability highlighted by France's aggressive posture in the west fueled calls for greater integration within the Confederation. Some measures were taken to enhance military readiness and foster cooperation among member states.