The Prussian Confederation was a political alliance formed in 1440 by several cities and territories in the region of Prussia. Its primary goal was to resist the influence of the Teutonic Knights, a military order that had controlled the area. The confederation sought to protect the rights and interests of its members, leading to a series of conflicts known as the Thirteen Years' War. In 1466, the conflict ended with the Second Peace of Thorn, which resulted in the division of the Teutonic Order's territory. The western part became a fief of the Polish Crown, while the eastern part remained under the control of the Teutonic Knights. This shift laid the groundwork for the future rise of the Duchy of Prussia.