Napoleon fell in 1815, and only three years passed over before the crop which he sowed was ripe for harvest.
In 1818 the grand-duchies of Baden and of Bavaria clamoured for and obtained a constitution.
In 1819 Wurtemberg clamoured for and obtained a constitution.
In 1820 there was a Revolution and constitutional changes in Spain and Portugal.
In 1821 there was a Revolution and constitutional changes in Naples and Piedmont.
In 1822 occurred the insurrection of the Greeks against Turkey.
1823 saw the institution of Prussian States.
A single nation escaped this progressive influence on account of its topographical position, it was too far off for us ever to think of setting foot in it. Napoleon gazed at it so long that he became accustomed to its distance, till it seemed at first possible, and finally easy, to bridge that distance. He only wanted an excuse to conquer Russia as he had conquered Italy, Egypt, Austria, Prussia, and Spain! He had not long to wait for this excuse. In spite of the interview with Niémen, in spite of the fraternal greeting between the two emperors, a vessel entered a port on the Baltic, and war was speedily declared between Napoleon the Great, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, and his brother, Alexander I., Czar of all the Russias.
At first it seemed as though the foresight of God were fighting against the despotic influence of a man. France entered Russia but as a lance enters the body, by a wound: liberty and serfdom could have no contact with each other.