English Translation

33 - 30 - In addition, England is experiencing a serious crisis in the second half of the l8th century as in its internal politics. "In the 20 years ( 176i - l782) between the great ministry of the older Pitt and that of his son, the responsible cabinet and its prime minister worked badly or not at all," says the English historian George M. Trevelyan. 1) For months, English agents remain abroad without the direction of their government. In the leadership of English foreign policy, a constant swan-ken emerges as a result of the internal political uncertainty and the lack of participation of the English in foreign policy events.2 After England's defeat in the American war, Joseph II. in a letter to Catherine II of April 8, 1783, the state of England with the following, as the following period should show, however, to the broadest extent: "What an incomprehensible spectacle - you can see how a government, which is petty in its rules and objectives, can weaken the character of an entire nation, destroy its power, discredit its reputation". He points out the difference between the development of England and Russia: "How much has not the Russian monarchy gained in your hands in respect, prestige and strength in 20 years! No prejudice worked for them - and what has become of England, despite the general good opinion of its resources, its resources and its excellent constitution?"3) 2) The armed maritime neutrality of 1780 The difficulties in which English politics was located soon bring it to such an extent that it is no longer Russia, 1) G,M. Trevelyan: Geschichte Englands, München 1936, pp.618. 2) Gerhard, p.88, 211, 20, 157 and especially about the inadequate management of English foreign policy S.l75 ff. 3) Arneth, correspondence between Joseph II and Katharina Ii., p.194 f. with Gerhard S.157-158