English Translation

Before 1795, attempts at universal rule failed because there was some balance between the conflicting systems. For the first time in the year l8lo, the whole European continent was under a ruler from the canal ports to the border of Russia. Nevertheless, potential centres of independent forces remained on the continent, and in the years 1813 to 1815 the two Germanic powers played a role which hardly survived the influence of Britain and Russia.In the years 1914 to 1918, the French resistance was of the highest importance; it was the combined weight of Russia and the two English-speaking empires which brought about Germany's defeat; the population and power ratio had already changed considerably to the disinterests of the purely European nations and in favour of the non-European empires. The collapse of Russia in the years 1917-20 has unfortunately affected Russia's past performance and its future significance, because the isolationism of the Anglo-Saxons, which is pacifist, has practically eliminated its influence on the European continent. After 1922, France, which, in its potential for power, was considerably inferior to the three rich and Germany, dominated the continent alone, bearing a weight that went far beyond its powers; the system into which it slipped in the subsequent period - while Russia temporarily withdrew - reminded of that which existed before Russia had turned into a great power. In the 17th century, Sweden, Poland and Turkey formed France's eastern counterpart to the Great German Empire of the Habsburgs; however, these countries became an obligation when Russia appeared to Peter the Great in the European field of forces nit the three states mentioned came into conflict. In the early 20th century, the two Germanic peoples joined forces with Russia, France withdrew; the distance and only one side were free, it could not make its influence effective. Napoleon's victories brought him to Eastern Europe - and this was his downfall. He was in the fight against Russia, which he fought with all his strength.