German nationality as an efficient political and economic force has been wrought by skillful and patriotic management out of materials afforded by military and political opportunities and latent national ties and traditions.

During the eighteenth century the Prussian monarchy came to understand that the road to effective political power in Germany was by way of a military efficiency, disproportionate to the resources and population of the Kingdom.

In this way it was able to take advantage of almost every important crisis to increase its dominion and its prestige.

Neither was Prussian national efficiency built up merely by a well-devised and practicable policy of military aggression.

The Prussian monarchy had the good sense to accept the advice of domestic reformers during its period of adversity, and so contributed to the economic liberation and the educational training of its subjects.