At the same time, something had occurred which changed the entire European problem in a way most distasteful to Louis Napoleon.

Prussia, in a seven weeks' war, had wrenched herself free from Austria (1866).

Instead of a disrupted United States, which he had expected, there was a disrupted German Empire which he did not expect! The triumph of Protestant Prussia was a triumph of liberalism.

It meant a new political power, a rearrangement of the political problem in Europe, with Austria and despotism deposed.

This was a distinct blow to the Emperor's policy, and to the headship in Europe which was its aim.