Nor, had Europe continued united, could the United States have
withstood European influence; but Canning's policy had
practically destroyed Metternich's dream of unity maintained by
intervention, and in 1848 that whole structure went hopelessly
tumbling before a new order. Yet British policy, too, failed of
full realization, for British statesmen always dreamed of an even
balance in continental Europe which Great Britain could incline
to her wishes, whereas it usually proved necessary, in order to
preserve a balance at all, for her to join one side or the other.
Divided Europe therefore stood opposite united America, and our
inferior strength was enhanced by an advantageous position.

The insecurity of the American position was revealed during the
Civil War. When the United States divided within, the strength of
the nation vanished. The hitherto suppressed desires of European
nations at once manifested themselves. Spain, never satisfied
that her American empire was really lost, at once leaped to take
advantage of the change. On a trumped up invitation of some of
the inhabitants of Santo Domingo, she invaded the formerly
Spanish portion of the island and she began war with Peru in the
hope of acquiring at least some of the Pacific islands belonging
to that state.

More formidable were the plans of Napoleon III, for the French,
too, remembered the glowing promise of their earlier American
dominions. They had not forgotten that the inhabitants of the
Americas as far north as the southern borders of the United
States were of Latin blood, at least so far as they were of
European origin. In Montevideo there was a French colony, and
during the forties France had been active in proffering her