But perhaps the most significant fact it brought into relief was the new phase of political existence into which the European races had entered.
Nationality, as the main principle of modern history, was now established; and the diplomatic relations of sovereigns as the representatives of peoples were shown to be of overwhelming weight.

The visionary mediaeval polity of Emperor and Pope faded away before the vivid actuality of full-formed individual nations, federally connected, controlled by common but reciprocally hostile interests.[18] The Council of Basel, opened in 1431, was in appearance a continuation of the Council of Constance.

But its method of procedure ran counter to the new direction which had been communicated to European federacy by the action of the Constance congress.

There the votes had been taken by nations.

At Basel they were taken by men, after the questions to be decided had been previously discussed by special congregations and committees deputed for preliminary deliberations.