THE WARS OF FREDERICK THE GREAT
finance, industry, commerce, education, all came in
for attention. But the two most radical changes were
those that were effected in respect of (i) the army,
(2) foreign policy. The army, immensely enlarged,
was completely reorganised on the Prussian model,
and on the basis of conscription. In foreign policy
a veritable 'diplomatic revolution* was carried
through. The Hohenzollern was now ^fi public
enemy number one^5 to the Hapsburg. The old
rivalry of Hapsburg and Bourbon -was obsolete.
Austria and France must draw together in order to
suppress this aggressive upstart of the north. They
did so during die years 1748-56 under the skilful
guidance of the brilliant chancellor Kaunitz. In
May 1756 a definite alliance was formed (Treaty
of Versailles)—an alliance which ultimately led to
the fateful marriage of the Empress's daughter,
Marie Antoinette, to the French dauphin, afterwards
King Louis XVI. The alliance was soon extended
to include Russia and Saxony. By 1756, then,
Prussia was fairly 'encircled,' thanks to the appre-
hension caused universally by the formidable power
and the unprincipled aggressiveness of Frederick.
The Prussian King was not unaware of the gather-
ing together of his enemies. He realised that his
position was critical, and he looked round for possible
allies. He found what he wanted in his uncle, George
n of Hanover and Great Britain. For George n had
himself in 1755 become embroiled with France in
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