... Prussia's foreign policy was generally centred on her geopolitical situation, while Austria was more concerned with safeguarding her interests by curtailing French power rather than defeating her. At the same time, one may see that the majority of Russian interests lay traditionally in the East. In effect, the situation in Europe was generally controlled by foreign policy based on differing national interests, largely dictated by geopolitical position. Yet, one may also see that major European countries did go to war with France, Austria in 1800, and Russia in 1807, but always alone and usually at a relative loss. This begs the question of why no one nation was really committed to helping another against France. The reasons are quite complex, but the answer is simple, each nation of Europe was in fear of not only Napoleon, but of each other. Fear is the most important factor in the European situation. Countries ...

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