It is difficult to understand the enthusiasm that could be aroused for the rehabilitation of an absolutist, bureaucratic, and militarist State, such as Prussia was--a State in which civil and political liberty was conspicuous by its absence.

But the fact undoubtedly remains that the men in question did succeed in pumping up a strong patriotic feeling and desire to free the country from the yoke of the foreigner, even if that only meant increased domestic tyranny.

It must be admitted, however, that as a matter of fact not inconsiderable internal reforms were owing to the leading men of this time.

Stein abolished serfdom, and in some respects did away with the legal distinction of classes, thereby paving the way for the rise of the middle class, which at that time meant a progressive step.

He also conferred rights of self-government upon municipalities.